TRAFFIC wardens are issuing visitors with tickets for parking in ’small’ car spaces on the Crown Pier because the shortest vehicles issued by hire companies are 10cms over the limit. As part of the scheme launched in September 2005, cars no longer than 3.5m are allowed on the Careening Hard side of the pier. Although Ford has registered the Ka at 3.6m, managing director for Value Rent a Car Dave Finn claims the actual length is only 3.35m.
He believes the Environment Department should either erect a sign informing drivers which car models fall within the ’small’ category or allow Ka drivers to park on the Crown Pier arm according to the vehicle’s actual size.
‘When I spoke to the Traffic Division about the problem, I was told to tell customers when hiring the Ford Ka at the airport that they cannot park in the small-car spaces on the Crown Pier ,’ said Mr Finn.
‘But you try and explain to a visitor that they cannot park there - they don’t understand what you’re talking about.
‘The States don’t seem to understand that it’s a problem that is upsetting tourists,’ he said.
‘I was also told that I should leave the log book in the car so visitors know that it’s registered at 3.6m, but we have had cases of the books being stolen and it costs us about £80 to replace them each time,’ he said.
The scheme was amended in its early stages to permit cars up to 3.5m, as opposed to 3.3m, allowing 22 different vehicles, of which there are approximately 2,000 in the island, to park in the small spaces.
Mr Finn said he acknowledges the actual size given in the manufacturer’s guide.
But he maintained that the Ka fits well within the small-car spaces and as such it should be allowed.
He believes the size inconsistency comes from the vehicle being rounded at the end.
Because traffic wardens know the official measurement, it’s an easy booking, he said.
‘Everybody who has written a complaint to the States has had their money refunded as far as I know, so it’s all a bit confusing,’ he added.
Mr Finn said the parking tickets were a poor show by the island.
‘We are trying to make it easy for tourists. We can spend a fortune on publicity but a little thing like this really upsets people. They don’t leave with the right impression and that gives the island a bad name.
‘This is something we need to sort out.’
The problem, he said, had been particularly bad this year.
‘I cannot see why we are upsetting visitors for this small point,’ he said.
Hire Association president Brian Thorn supported Mr Finn. ‘There’s certainly a bit of controversy over it.’
He confirmed the smallest car which hire companies issue in the island is the Ford Ka.
He also agrees the Environment Department should put up a sign indicating which are permitted to park in the ’small’-car spaces.
‘It’s not made clear that the Ka does not fit in that category and the difference in length is so small that they should really do something regarding the signs - it’s a very grey area.’
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