A row has erupted over parking fines at West Quay Retail Park, with a councillor launching a petition calling for charges issued after 8pm to be cancelled.
The campaign, started by Cllr Jeremy Moulton, claims drivers have been penalised after being unable to extend their ticket past 8pm or failing to realise a changeover had taken place.
The petition, which urges Britannia Parking to carry out a review of recent appeals with goodwill cancellations where people were clearly caught out, has received the backing of one driver who was fined twice at the site.
It also calls for the introduction of clearer signage and a one-tap ‘add overnight’ option to correct the 8pm ticket issue.
Cllr Moulton said: "I have written to the director of Britannia Parking and I understand the council has done the same.
"The situation has been very misleading for shoppers looking for somewhere to park and let to so many unfair parking fines.
"One of the biggest issues with the new parking is the 8pm cut off - that means those parked before 8pm need to come back and buy another ticket.
"Fines like these are putting people off coming to the city centre.
"We are seeing local traders having a reduction in footfall as a result of parking fines like these.
"The city needs parking companies to support local businesses not damage them."
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Deborah Hiscock, from Ashurst, who was fined twice along with her husband Roy while visiting a nearby bank, said the petition was welcome.
She added: "I think this action by Cllr Moulton is brilliant and something I will be supporting.
"Britannia parking have made a fortune off poor shoppers - we are lucky enough to be in a position to pay these fines but others I know just cannot afford it.
"I will never be using that car park again and I believe it will negatively impact the number of shoppers visiting the city centre.
"Southampton desperately needs the footfall in the city centre or our high street is going to die."
Councillor Alex Winning, leader of Southampton City Council, said: “We have contacted Britannia Parking to discuss the management of the car park at West Quay.
"If a person has a complaint about a Parking Charge Notice from West Quay Retail Park, they should contact Britannia Parking who patrol and manage this.
"People can contact POPLA (Parking On Private Land Appeals) if they are not satisfied with the response to their appeal."
