Tesco customers have spotted a major change to its car park rules in recent days.
Signs have been added to car parks which tell drivers not to park in parent and child car parking bays if they don't have any children with them.
The notices warn shoppers that anyone who is seen to abuse the spaces and what they’re intended for will face a parking charge.
Tesco introduces new parking charge in car parks
Sharing the announcement to Instagram, Netmums shared a picture of the signs that were spotted attached to a bollard at a Tesco store, with the following text: “Parent & child only
“Misuse of these bays may result in a PARKING CHARGE. This space is reserved for customers taking little shoppers into the store.”
Tesco told Newsquest the new notices are part of a small trial in some of its stores.
It said the signage also applies to disabled parking bays with customers being reminded to display their Blue Badges when using them.
Reaction to the Instagram post has been largely positive with parents, who are fed up of seeing the spaces used by people who shouldn’t, commenting their thoughts.
One said: “Can they do the same with blue badge bays now too please!”
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Another commented: “This is a good start, every single time I go with my toddler there’s always a single man parked up and getting out with no child.
“The amount of abuse I’ve received when saying something to them is horrifying too so fine away!”
Someone else said: “My local Tesco has introduced this and im here for it! Just curious about how its going to be monitored”.
This person shared: “YES!!! I can’t stand people who use them without young children. Drives me insane!”
Others suggested the warning needed to be clearer, with one saying: “This needs to include pregnant women!”
Another shared: “What age is classified as children”.
How old does a child have to be for parents to use a parent and child parking space?
Parents must only use a parent and child parking space at any car park if their child or children are aged 12 or under, according to Parking Protection.
It added: “Drivers may park in a Parent & Child bay whilst using the store and exiting the vehicle”.
It explains when parents do not need to use the spaces: “If a child (or children) does not exit the vehicle there is no need to use these bays.”
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Parents who have children staying in the car either alone or with an adult should not use a parent and child bay and instead park in a regular space.
The website adds: “Parent and child parking bays are positioned nearer to the store and are of course wider than a traditional bay, allowing for parents or guardians to safely remove children, buggies and prams from a vehicle without the fear of possible accidents to themselves, or damage to neighbouring vehicles.”
Do you think the car park fine at Tesco is a good idea? Let us know in the comments or our poll above.
