CLACTON MP Giles Watling has called on the Government to give local councils more powers to regulate private car parks.

The move comes after motorists were left outraged after being fined for parking in Ravensdale car park, off North Road, Great Clacton.

Following a campaign by shopkeepers, the “misleading” parking signs were changed and motorists are now allowed to park in the car park for free for three hours – without having to enter a registration number to validate the free parking.

Before the changes a number of motorists were caught out and were given parking tickets by car park operator Smart Parking.

Mr Watling has now questioned Sajid Javid, Communities and Local Government Secretary, over whether he would strengthen local authority powers to regulate private car parks.

Mr Watling said: “Many residents in Clacton have fallen foul to sharp practice that renders them with parking charges unfairly.

“I am keen to pursue possible solutions that would make this practice more difficult and one such solution could be strengthening the powers given to local authorities to regulate private car parks.

“I was pleased to hear that the department are considering reforms of the private parking sector which will help tackle these unfair practices.”

A number of motorists have successfully appealed to independent appeals service Parking on Private Land Appeal over the charges at Ravensdale – without Smart Parking defending the cases.

Smart Parking previously said: “We are members of the British Parking Association and follow its guidelines strictly.”