Trolley dash (From Free Press Series)

Trolley dash

A NEW year heralds a new policy from retail giants Tesco as they step-up the monitoring of their car park.

The two-hour parking limit at the Pontypool superstore has already caused controversy in the town with independent traders blaming the time limit for a lack of footfall in the town.

Now a notice placed on the side of a trolley park bay explains that CCTV cameras are being installed to control the time limit in the car park.

The notice states: "Parking will remain free up to a maximum stay of two hours. Beyond this time, penalty charges will apply."

The move has come following customer feedback and the notice informs customers the move is aimed at "improving our customer car park."

The notice states: "You have told us that you can't always find a parking space when shopping at our store. To make more spaces available we will be installing cameras to control the time limit."

It was advertised that the cameras would be in place from January 2. But many independent traders are concerned that more rigorous policing of the time limit could deter shoppers from using the town shops.

Lesley Caldecoat runs The Hat Box - a hat sale and hire business in the Courtyard shops.

She said: "The time limit will not encourage people to browse around Pontypool.

"I don't know if it will affect my business directly because I always direct my customers to the Riverside car park.

"But it will definitely stop people browsing if they have to be clock-watching all the time."

Market trader Kay Warren said: "It will have a detrimental effect on the town. Two hours is just not long enough to have a wander around."

Annaleah Tudor, who works with Ms Warren, said: "It means that people are less likely to leave the supermarket and come into town."

Local trader Terry Baker accused the supermarket giant of having a "gangster" attitude.

"There will be nothing left of the town centre", he said.

"We need drastic action to save the town centre, by putting people off shopping in town the car parking limit is taking every body's trade while they are laughing all the way to the bank. Every little helps if it helps them."

No one was available from Tesco to comment.