Cheats are flouting park and ride rules

Metrolink car park at Prince's Gate frequently being used by non-Metrolink users.

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OF the hundreds of penalty notices issued to motorists abusing Metrolink's park and ride sites in Oldham last year, only FIVE were for not having a Metrolink ticket.

A Freedom of Information request submitted by the Oldham Chronicle found that nearly 400 fines were issued to people breaching parking conditions at the borough's four park and ride sites - Oldham Mumps, Hollinwood, Derker and Shaw and Crompton - from January to December, 2016.

The majority, 236 fines, were issued to those parking outside the tram operating hours or Metrolink's weekend overnight parking scheme, with a further 86 fines handed to motorists for obstructive parking, such as parking outside a marked bay.

Vehicles parked in a disabled bay without a badge were caught 19 times, while 50 people who parked in a "no parking" area or cross-hatching were fined.

Failure to abide by regulations results in a £100 parking charge, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.

The former 254-space Oldham Mumps park and ride, on the outskirts of the town centre, claimed the most fines with 243.

Of those fines, five motorists were given tickets due to being "non-Metrolink patrons".

However, when asked by the Chronicle, fewer than 50 per cent of people parked in the new Oldham Mumps park and ride site, which offers 254 spaces at Regent Street in the town centre, could produce a valid Metrolink ticket or pass.

A total of 35 people returning to their car during rush hour were asked for proof they had used the Metrolink service, but only 16 were able to show our reporter a ticket, pass or mobile phone payment app.

One motorist said: "I park here everyday but I never use the tram. If there is a free place to park and you won't get caught, why wouldn't you use it?"

However, Asif Lohdi - who regularly uses the Metrolink Park and Ride service - said he had not experienced a problem in the past.

Asif, who uses the Metrolink and the Get Me There app for work, said: "When I get here in the morning and park, there is usually a lot of spaces.

"I've never experienced any problems but I know it is easy to use the facility without buying a ticket."

Within the Freedom of Information request, which specifically asked how many fines had been handed out for abuse of the services by non-patrons, Metrolink said: "It is difficult to prove if car park users are Metrolink patrons or not. Therefore, this does not feature as a main category within the reports and penalties are only issued where enough proof is available."

It added that car park management company Care Parking patrols the Metrolink car parks no less that three times a day and retains all the money from Parking Charge Notices.

A Transport for Greater Manchester spokesperson confirmed that signs detailing the conditions of use are clearly displayed at all sites and penalty charges are issued to anyone found to be in breach of them.

They continued: "We are currently undertaking a review of how our park and ride sites are monitored to ensure they are used in the manner intended.

"We want our customers to get the maximum benefit from this popular and much-valued facility and recently introduced overnight parking at many locations on Friday and Saturday.

"We are not aware of any ongoing issue at Oldham Mumps but are committed to working with the council and local residents to address their concerns."

Derker and Shaw park and ride sites each recorded over 50 fines, with Hollinwood Metrolink users receiving 37 tickets.

The original park and ride at Mumps, the proposed site for the ill-fated Marks and Spencer development, was closed when the new two-storey structure was completed but it has since been re-opened as a free car park.

It remains to be seen where these motorists will park if and when this free facility is withdrawn.