Teesside Park is set to review parking signs across the site after its “confusing” disabled parking provision was slammed by a northern disability charity lead. 

Last week, the Northern Echo revealed how the popular shopping complex displayed misleading information for blue badge holders in its car park after disabled pensioner Harry Carse was hit with a £100 fine. 

Signs outside disabled spaces stated there were “no concessions for disabled people”, meaning holders had to adhere to a four-hour time limit - but Teesside Park later confirmed it WAS able to co-ordinate allowances for those with a blue badge. 

The park’s website states there is “no time limit for blue badge holders” - and that disabled shoppers need to register at customer services as soon as they arrive. 

But signs in the park stated that “failure to adhere to the terms and conditions will result in a £100 parking charge” - with no mention of allowances. 

The full blue badge holder sigs at Teesside ParkThe full blue badge holder sigs at Teesside Park (Image: UGC)

Harry told The Northern Echo how he was given a £100 fine for overstaying the time limit by 28 minutes (including a 10-minute grace period” but was unsuccessful after appealing his fine. 

He branded the situation as "scandalous", noting how blue badge signs do not state the important information that there is “no time limit for blue badge holders”.

Teesside Park bosses have today (September 12) confirmed they will be reviewing signage about the car parks “across the site” and said the complex “works hard to ensure Teesside Park is an inclusive environment for everyone”.

Harry Carse said he was 'bloody annoyed' after getting the fineHarry Carse said he was 'bloody annoyed' after getting the fine (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Angie Stewart, inclusion and engagement lead at charity Disability North, said parking should be “designed with inclusivity in mind” - describing the situation as “crazy”. 

She told The Northern Echo: “It is crazy to ask disabled people to physically walk to a location just to register for extended parking. 

“Accessibility should be a priority in all public spaces, ensuring that everyone can visit places with ease. The increasing complexity of parking signs is another pressing issue. 

“The information can be confusing, for all of us. Adding the inconsistency in parking rules across a single site like Teesside Park only exacerbates the problem. 

“Parking should be designed with inclusivity in mind. This means removing unnecessary barriers and making all areas inviting, accessible and user-friendly”. 

Parking complications at Teesside Park

Parking restrictions were first brought in at Teesside Park last December, meaning anyone staying over the four-hour limit would face a £100 fine, reduced to £60 if paid within two weeks. 

The Retail South section of the complex - which is home to Next, M&S, and Primark - is the only area with restricted parking. 

The standard four-hour max parking signsThe standard four-hour max parking signs (IMAGE: CONTRIBUTOR)

The shopping complex has around 2,000 unrestricted spaces, with many located at the leisure park - home to Showcase Cinema, Hollywood Bowl, and Ninja Warrior - and others near restaurants such as TGI Fridays and Pizza Express.

The blue badge spaces are located in front of Next, Clintons, Asda, Nike, Primark, River Island, and Marks and Spencer. 

Harry Carse has since had further correspondence from the Teesside Park team, which said they were “unable to further assist” after the appeal was upheld. 

In an email seen by The Northern Echo, the complex said it does “take feedback from our visitors on board” and “will consider comments on the signage during any future reviews”. 

Minster Baywatch previously said: "Teesside Park has a clearly signposted time limit of four hours for all users of this car park, and our services are engaged to ensure this is adhered to.

"The Parking Charge was correctly issued and has been reviewed by POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals Service) who are completely impartial and agreed with the decision confirming the legitimacy of the PCN.

"We are aware there are other non-time restricted options for Blue Badge holders on the site, however, it appears, unfortunately, this was not adopted by the user on this occasion."

Teesside Park ‘to review signage’ 

A spokesperson for Teesside Park said: “We want everyone who visits Teesside Park to have an enjoyable experience while with us and our car parking system is designed to help ensure that. 

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“For the large majority of visitors, our data shows that four hours is plenty of time to complete their shopping in our retail stores, and we have the long stay car park available for those that would like a longer visit and can use it. 

“We understand that, for some, use of the long stay car park isn’t possible and we have put in place a system for Blue Badge holders to enable them to park closer to our stores for an unlimited period on that day if needed.

“We work hard to ensure Teesside Park is an inclusive environment for everyone and, of course, listen to all feedback. We have reached out to the team at Disability North to discuss this with them further and will also be reviewing signage about our car parks across the site.”