OWNERS of cars with ‘for sale’ signs parked at Vazon Bay now face fixed penalty fines. The Environment Department has placed signs in the area informing vehicle owners that they cannot park there for more than 23 hours.

Traffic and transport services manager Karl Guille said that the decision had been made following concerns from the Castel Constables about cars for sale being left for long periods of time.

‘Unfortunately the car park was being abused by a minority so we have taken steps to deal with the problem.

‘While 23-hour parking does not require a motorist to display a parking clock, owners of vehicles that are left there parked ﾓover timeﾔ are liable to be reported or issued with a fixed penalty notice,’ he said.

In May Castel officials received backing from Environment to clear unwanted cars from parish administered land but were told there were not the resources to enforce penalties.

Mr Guille said that the new signs have now been erected to enforce parking restrictions.

‘Motorists should be aware that if they fail to observe these restrictions, they may be liable for prosecution,’ he said.

Senior constable Bob Marquis said the recent response had come following media attention and that Environment had recognised the situation as a prolonged problem for parishioners.

‘We received notice that the signs would be going up a

couple of weeks ago and I am very pleased that this is happening. Regularly we get parish residents calling in about parked cars with ﾓfor saleﾔ signs and dumped vehicles, which we then have to arrange to be removed,’ he said.

Under The Places of Recreation (Amendment) Ordinance, 1996, which applies to Vazon car park and other coastal land, parks and gardens, it is an offence for anyone without permission of the authority in control to exercise trade or business.

Mr Marquis said he was pleased that the new signs had been put up and that Environment had decided to enforce restrictions.

‘I am hoping that it will solve the problem, as it’s totally unfair for people like that to take up spaces from people who are there to use the beach – the spaces are meant for recreational purposes, not for the selling of cars,’ he said.

Chairman of the Guernsey Motor Trades Association and owner of Le Mont Saint Garage Dave Beausire said that the for sale cars on the coast had not affected business but were an unnecessary eyesore.

‘From my own point of view it’s not the most attractive thing to see and we pay a lot to sell our cars on dealership property. I think the display of cars for sale around the coast cheapens the island.’