'CONFUSING' signs warning drivers of parking fines in a bid to tackle retail park 'boy racers' have already been torn down and replaced.

There has been a U-turn over the wording of the controversial signs outside the 24-hour McDonald's in Blackpole Retail Park and other major shops including KFC at Elgar Retail Park.

New signs with different wording have now been installed, replacing ones only put up at the start of September - and making it clearer there is a 30-minute window for parking in the evening.

But Cllr Jill Desayrah, Warndon's Labour councillor, said ANPR cameras and signs, whatever they say, are not substitute for on-site security and are effectively resourced, and potentially covert policing.

She said some of the culprits of the antisocial behaviour post 'lookouts' to watch for officers arriving from West Mercia Police.

Worcester News: CLEARER: The new sign at Blackpole Retail Park which contains a drive thru McDonald's CLEARER: The new sign at Blackpole Retail Park which contains a drive thru McDonald's (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

We reported how ANPR cameras and signs warning drivers of parking restrictions appeared earlier this month in both Blackpole Retail Park and Elgar Retail Park.

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Several drivers contacted Worcester News to say they were issued with fines. Now the signs show a clock and warn drivers they have a 30-minute grace period in the evening before they are issued with a fine. 

Worcester News: OLD: One of the old signs at Blackpole Retail Park which has now been removed OLD: One of the old signs at Blackpole Retail Park which has now been removed (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The old UK Parking Control Limited signs warned 'no parking' between 9pm and 6am while the new signs read '30 minutes maximum stay between 9pm and 6am'.

Drivers face fines of up to £100 if they breach the restrictions. Some of the new signs feature a clock to indicate the grace period. 

Complaints have been raised by residents about 'boy racers' leaving doughnuts and other forms of antisocial driving in the Blackpole retail parks, the reason the restrictions have been introduced by retail park managers.

Cllr Jill Desayrah, the Warndon Labour councillor, has organised : “It doesn’t really matter what the signs say, they don’t work.

"I have spoken to many residents and they have had enough. The onsite security team must be reinstated. It’s the only way to stop this antisocial behaviour.”

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said people reading the new signs would still be confused if they did not read the smaller print.

"They're going to panic and think they have to go around the shops in half an hour," he said. "The last time I was in the retail park there was a guy on a step ladder replacing every single one. I wonder whether they have to waive the fines they have already imposed.

"Every single sign in both car parks has been changed. I suspect they will change them again before long. It feels to me like a knee-jerk reaction. The cost of all the new signs must be astronomical.

"There are around 15 to 20 signs in each retail park. At 7pm last night (Thursday) the signs were all being changed. There was never any indication (on the previous signs)  about the buffer time you're allowed."

Legal and General which manages the retail parks has been approached for a comment.