DRIVERS have been left outraged after being slapped with parking fines during Reading Festival for drop-off or pick-ups in an 'unfair' move by parking enforcement firms.

Wokingham resident Ross Rotheram was among those hit with a penalty after parking in the Station Shopping Park car park while picking up his daughter from the festival.

"We entered at 12.07am and left around 12.43am on August 25," Mr Rotheram said.

"The sign on site indicates that there is a two-hour maximum stay. However, only much further down does it say that there is no parking between 10.30pm and 7.30am.

"It feels like the parking company is taking advantage of people unaware of these restrictions."

Mr Rotheram expressed his concern over 'perceived neglect' by United Kingdom Parking Control (UKPC) to enforce clear parking indications.

He said that he has attempted to resolve the matter by liaising with park managers and local businesses, but his efforts have been unsuccessful. The driver added: "During the time we were in the car park, there must have been 100 cars alongside us.

"The fines they'll collect will be staggering. They must be making thousands from people, and it's just disgusting."

Frustrations have spilled over to Parkapedia, a platform for reviewing car parks for future users, where many customers have similarly criticized where police directed them to park during the festival.

One user vented: "Stung with a £60 fine for being guided into the UNLOCKED car park by police to pick up festival-goers. Furthermore, my complaints were outright ignored."

Another driver who was fined added: "It's disgraceful that the company opted to issue fines without taking correct measures to indicate that the parking area was off-limits.

"I contacted both Aldi and TGI Friday's, businesses nearby, to see if they could contest the fine on my behalf."

Mr Rotheram also expressed his disappointment regarding the impact of the parking penalties on the festival experience.

"It’s unreasonable,” he said. "I spoke to the manager of TGI Friday’s in the retail park and apparently some of the retailers have tried to intervene, but the parking company has been uncooperative."

The Chronicle has contact UKPC for comment but is yet to receive any response.

The cost of the fine for parking in the Station Shopping Park’s car park during non-permissible hours is £60.

A Reading Borough Council spokesperson said: "The car park at Vastern Court retail park is privately owned and not the responsibility of the council.

“Hills Meadow Car Park was the official dedicated area for drop off/pick up and festival goers could walk or catch the free shuttle buses provided.”