SHOPPERS have welcomed Fenland District Council’s moves to clamp down on inconsiderate and illegal parking in March Market Place. They say there has been a definite improvement since new regulations came into force on October 29.

The new measures were introduced to make life easier for shoppers and give a boost to town-centre businesses. They include a possible penalty charge of �60 for motorists who overstay the two-hour limit, park outside marked bays or use spaces reserved for disabled people without displaying a blue badge.

Over the past three weeks FDC staff have been regularly patrolling the market place. They have been advising shoppers and businesses about the new regulations and pointing out alternative places to park as well as handing out warning notices to offenders – and the policy seems to be working.

“The results have been very positive so far,” said Councillor Peter Murphy, FDC’s Streets Ahead portfolio holder. “It seems that people are definitely paying attention to the new regulations and behaving accordingly.”

One shopper told FDC’s Street Scene officer Stacey Speed: “This is an excellent move. I need to do my banking once a week and can never find a space and today there were plenty.”

Another commented: “It is nice not to be blocked in and not struggle to get around the car park, from where people have parked out of the bays.”

Disabled people have also voiced support for the moves, saying that they have resulted in more spaces being available for legitimate blue badge holders.