Car park confusion at The Orbital Shopping Park in North Swindon

Car parking signs at Swindon's Orbital Shopping Centre are to be reviewed after one mother of two found herself getting a ticket having accidentally entered a bus lane.

The confusion was caused because of the closure of some of the car parking and footpaths whilst a new management suite is being built.

This has meant that the exit signage of the rear car park directs you to a road where you can only turn right as otherwise you enter a bus lane. But there is currently no signage saying you cannot turn left within the car park.

Other confusing signage includes one that simply states 'Buses Only Asda Car Park' meaning some shoppers are left with no idea how they enter the car park that adjoins Marks and Spencer.

Sarah Wintle, 39, of Croft Road, was taking her seven month old baby to use the sports club on the site for baby swimming classes.

But she has now received a £60 ticket for entering a bus lane having got confused exiting the car park because of the unclear signage.

She said: "It's annoying that with the car park changes it confusing as to where you can exit.

"As that junction is labelled exit you're drawn to it and it's not clear that it's a bus lane. They should either remove the restrictions while the work is being done or make the bus lane more clear from that exit."

Having disputed the fine Sarah has since been told by Swindon Borough Council that they would not be pursuing the ticket this time.

In the meantime the management behind the Orbital have said they would look into the signage with a view to making it clearer for its users.

Jamie Turner, the Orbital Deputy Centre Manager, said: "We will of course review the signs on the roundabout and see if we can make any changes to make it clearer for all of our customers as we want to keep disruption to a minimum.

"We haven't introduced any additional cameras or changed the road lay out on Mazurek Way where the bus lane camera is situated but are happy to speak directly to the customer in question.

"The upgrade work to the pathways and car park should be finished in October, while the works on the new Customer Service Hub will continue into the new year. Your readers can also stay up to date with the latest information by going to our website www.orbitalshoppingpark.co.uk"

The new suite that is being built will eventually include offices for North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson.