BEWDLEY permit holders are up in arms over Wyre Forest District Council’s decision to operate a zero tolerance policy on a lesser known parking rule.

Many of the town’s residents, who own season tickets, have been slapped with parking fines while parked in long stay car parks for more than 23 hours, according to resident, Juliette Brooke.

The district council, however, said the season tickets had a restriction of up to 23 hours parking in every 24-hour period, which had always been in place in council-owned car parks.

Miss Brooke, who has owned a permit for two years, said up until two weeks ago residents could park in the car parks without receiving a fine.

The 42-year-old told The Shuttle permit holders were “furious”, as they were not told the restriction was going to be enforced, despite the annual cost of a permit going up from £97 to £125.

“People have left their cars for two or three days thinking they’re covered,” she said, “They then had two or three tickets on their cars when they got back to them.

“Suddenly, out of the blue, they decided they’re going to enforce this restriction with no warning.

“The amount of people that have had tickets is ridiculous. Everybody I have seen is absolutely furious.

“The general feeling is that we’re paying £125 a year to park in these car parks, then we’re getting fined if we leave our car. It just doesn’t seem fair.”

John Townson, general manager of the Mug House Inn, said customers who stayed at the pub’s B&B were also fined, despite being given permits.

He said: “The council has been very underhand. If they’re going to introduce something as serious as this then they should at least notify residents.”

Conservative councillor Tracey Onslow, cabinet member for housing and environmental services, said the district council was reviewing the matter.

She explained the restriction was put in place to avoid “continued” use and implied ownership.

She added: “The council is obliged to enforce such limitations in a manner that is fair and equitable to all car park users but, having listened to the representations of the Bewdley residents concerned, the council is reviewing from a legal viewpoint whether anything can be done about this restriction in this case.

“In addition, in order to avoid any such confusion in the future, we are also reviewing what information is given to residents when they buy council season tickets, with a view to ensuring that residents have the necessary information to hand, rather than expecting them to read car park signage.”