Readers back plan for fines at Sainsbury's in Oldbury

Shop bosses said people are leaving vehicles without entering the store and have lodged plans for number plate recognition cameras in a bid to find those responsible.

Anyone who stays longer than the allowed three-hour limit or ten-minute limit outside store hours will be fined under the plans.

The application for the cameras will be decided in the coming weeks.

In an Express & Star poll, 70 per cent of around 600 readers who responded said it was a fair way to deal with the drivers.

Comments included one from MrW who said: "It's obviously other workers in town who are using this as a free car park. It's tough, but fair for Sainsbury's to ensure their customers can park otherwise they're losing trade."

Sharmwolf said it was good news, adding: "Pity you can't fine the selfish scumbags that park in spaces allocated for disabled and parents with young children."

But Olly the cat disagreed, saying: "There are no parking regulations or restrictions at Waitrose in Wolverhampton. They do not punish their customers with fines or fixed penalties. That's another good reason to shop at this wonderful supermarket."

On Facebook, Roger Johnstone said: "Most supermarkets allow two hours' free parking before they charge, so this three-hour limit seems perfectly reasonable. The car park is primarily for their own shoppers, so I don't see a problem. The fact that council car parks are expensive is a different argument."

Les Short added that there was an alternative solution, posting: "If the council lower the parking fees in their car parks more people would use them, freeing up the ones on Sainsbury's car park, and putting more revenue in the council coffers, rocket science it ain't."