Kidlington business owners fined by camera in different car park

People using private business parking spaces and Cherwell District Council’s Curtis Place car park - both in Forester’s Way, Kidlington - have received numerous fines from a camera used to surveil the nearby Tesco Superstore parking area.

The village’s Tesco’s car park is overseen by Horizon, an independent parking enforcement agency, which has positioned an ANPR camera on Forester’s Way.

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Motorists who wish to use Curtis Place or their business spaces have to drive past Tesco’s car park and the camera to park.

A number of people were outraged to find they were handed tickets by Horizon’s camera, even though they did not park at Tesco.

Tony Gee, of Ace Tackle and Bait in the Kidlington Centre, was handed a fine and was left feeling “ignored” by both Horizon and Tesco.

Similarly, Robert Bateman, director of Freelance Fabrics Kidlington, was given two fines, at £70 each.

“My biggest concern is that if someone was to believe it was all Tesco’s, wrongly get issued a ticket, they may well unknowing believe that they must pay it and do just that.

“The whole situation is appalling, possibly illegal and causing unnecessary stress to us and possibly many others,” he told this newspaper.

The Tesco car park sign on Forester's Way (Image: Robert Bateman)

A spokesperson for Cherwell District Council said: “We are troubled by the fact that invalid parking fines are being handed out by another enforcement agency at our council’s Curtis Place car park.

“We recommend that anyone who has been issued a penalty charge notice by Horizon on behalf of Tesco while parked at Curtis Place make enquiries with the manager of the Tesco store, pointing to the clear signage that our car park has in place.

“We are disappointed that Tesco and Horizon have so far failed to respond to our attempts to engage with them in this matter and understand the frustration of the residents, visitors and businesses affected.

“The council is also seeking a response from Tesco and its enforcement agency over the placement of its number plate recognition cameras and will persist in its efforts to resolve this matter on behalf of its car park users and the nearby affected businesses.”

The parking layout behind the Kidlington Centre (Image: Cherwell District Council)

Tesco responded to this newspaper’s request to address the issue, which they did not do for the council. 

A Tesco spokesperson said: “We’re working with Horizon, who operate the parking system at our Kidlington superstore, after reports of incorrect Parking Charge Notices (PCNs).

“A technical fault has been identified and Horizon is working to fix this as quick as possible.

“In the meantime, the camera has been disabled. We’re really sorry for any PCNs issued in error and customers can contact Horizon to have these cancelled.”

Horizon failed to respond to requests for comment.

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Read more from this author

This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.

You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry

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