COUNCIL officers will visit the Bridge Shopping Centre in Latchford to 'see if any work needs to be done' to the car park's layout and signage following concerns from motorists.

The area of the car park to the front and side of the shops, on Maybrook Place, is privately owned, while the car park to the rear of the shops, on the Grammar School Road end, is owned by the council.

The car park operated by the council is free to park and is limited to 10 hours parking.

Foden Estates Ltd own the car park situated at the front and to the side of the shopping centre.

Parking on that part of the site is free for three hours.

A Foden Estates spokeswoman said: "The new car parking regulations are under the control of Spring Parking, however, the instruction is that customers of the Bridge Shopping Centre/Latchford village can park free of charge for three hours.

"They must obtain a ticket and display it in the vehicle, while the vehicle is parked in any one of the parking bays.

"The purpose of this is to stop people parking in Latchford and spending the day elsewhere, so that parking is kept free for the Bridge Shopping Centre/Latchford customers throughout the day."

Parking charge notices will be issued on vehicles on the private site that do not display a ticket, or overstay the maximum free parking time of three hours.

Parking charge notices are issued at £95 and reduced to £55 if paid within 14 days.

The council has not made any changes to its site within the last 12 months.

But following public concerns the authority confirmed staff will be visiting the site.

A spokesman said: "Officers from the council's parking team will look at the layout and signage at the site and see if any work needs to be done."