Residents of a Dorset town are confronting shocking £100 penalties merely for driving to their own homes, after automatic number plate recognition cameras at a supermarket car park incorrectly identified them as 'overstayers'. Properties situated on Beaconsfield Road in Christchurch, which depend on access through the local Waitrose car park, have become ensnared in this ticketing predicament. One householder has already received four such fines, with his partner describing the situation as "a bit of a shock to say the least".
Council Acquisition and Camera Installation
The problem originated following Christchurch Town Council's acquisition of the site and its subsequent lease to Waitrose in 2025, which prompted the installation of the new ANPR camera system. Previously, when the car park was under BCP Council ownership as a pay-and-display facility, residents encountered no similar issues. The transition has sparked considerable alarm among local householders, who now face financial penalties for routine daily activities.
Resident Concerns and Legal Rights
"A few people in the street have been fined ... obviously it is worrying and needs sorting out," one affected woman stated. "I know people affected have contacted Waitrose who had said they are dealing with it. We do have right of way across the car park, as far as we understand it. If we can’t drive across it we won’t be able to get to our parking spaces." The car park's regulations stipulate that anyone remaining over 90 minutes can incur a £100 fine, but residents argue their transit should be exempt.
Official Responses and Historic Easements
Deputy Mayor Maggie Fidler has recommended that those impacted reach out to Waitrose directly for resolution. She later elaborated during a town council meeting that certain Beaconsfield Road residents hold "historic easements" over the car park, rendering it a corporate responsibility rather than a council matter. This legal nuance underscores the complexity of the situation, as residents' rights to access their properties via the car park are now under scrutiny.
Waitrose's Apology and Remedial Actions
A Waitrose spokesperson expressed regret, stating: "We are sorry to those neighbours who have experienced problems. The system, which is managed by Britannia, should prevent this from happening. We have been made aware of a small number of occasions where this has happened and are working with Britannia to address these. In the event a neighbour receives a ticket whilst driving to park at their property, we ask that they let us know so we can cancel it." The supermarket chain is actively collaborating with its parking management partner to rectify the technical glitches causing these erroneous fines.
The ongoing dispute highlights broader concerns about automated enforcement systems and their impact on community access, with residents urging a swift and permanent solution to avoid further financial distress.
