HAVING visited my doctor on January 3, with a worrying lump which had appeared, I was even more sickened when I returned to my car to find an £80 parking fine stuck to the window.

How long has the car park outside Aye Gee repair shop near to Blockbuster video, in Welling, been a pay and display?

The route I took from my car to the crossing on Bellegrove Road had no obvious signs to warn me the car park was now pay and display.

It was a grey and drizzly day and I was so intent on getting to see the doctor it didn't occur to me the parking lot I have always used in the past may have suddenly changed to pay and display.

When mini roundabouts are built there are huge signs up for years warning people.

The meters here are insignificant and only seen when crossing at Welling Way and are easily obscured by parked vehicles.

The one sign there is on Belegrove Road side is tiny and 10 feet off the ground, which is not at all noticable by a 5ft person hurrying to the doctors worried about an illness they may have.

A sign at the doctors might help to warn patients but I didnt notice anything there either.

Maybe because I was feeling worried and ill I had not noticed but this car park must be used by many other patients of the Bellegrove surgery in similar situations who, having used the same car park for years without meters, do not expect to return to a parking fine.

I think it is deceit on behalf of the council to do this and I presume a lot of money is being made out of vulnerable people visiting the doctor the signage in the car park is nowhere near adequate.

Changes such as this should be made impossible not to notice, however distracted one is.

Is it just another money-making scheme for the council such as the infamous bus lane at Welling Corner?

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