A SUPERMARKET giant has divided public opinion with its controversial plans to prevent shoppers from misusing disabled parking bays and parent and toddler spaces.

Tesco has announced plans to issue £40 fines to drivers who break its car park rules.

Now parents of children under 12 can use special bays close to the entrance and any Blue Badge holders are entitled to use the disability bays.

However, some drivers often ignore car park etiquette, believing the rules cannot be enforced by staff.

A spokesman for Tesco said: "Many of our disabled customers rely on our disabled parking bays, so we’ve introduced our self-monitoring initiative to highlight the importance of using the bays properly, making it fairer and easier for everyone to find a parking space in Tesco."

Related article: POLL have your say on Tesco's proposed fines

An overwhelming majority of Evening Mail readers who took part in an online poll agreed with the store's plans but many readers were unsure as to how exactly they would be enforced.

Staff at Tesco confirmed the fines were being trialled across the country in 81 stores and would soon be rolled out to more than 200 branches.

Any misuse will be reported by staff who use a mobile app to take pictures of the driver and their car.

These will then be passed on to private company, Horizon Parking, which will obtain the driver's details from the DVLA and then the £40 fine will be issued.

This could rise to £70 if it is not paid within 14 days.

Tesco has insisted that the scheme is not-for-profit as the fines will only cover the cost plus fees.

Retailer Booths, which has a large store in Ulverston, confirmed it would not be implementing a similar scheme and said it would rely on the goodwill of its customers in these situations.

Aldi, which has two branches locally, said although it doesn't enforce strict regulations, dedicated disabled and parent parking spaces are honoured and appreciated by the large majority of its customers.

Asda has not commented on whether it will adopt similar schemes across their stores.

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We asked and you answered: Survey results

Should Tesco issue fines to shoppers parking incorrectly in parent and child spaces and disabled bays?

78 per cent of you said YES.

Here's what else you think...

In the "yes" camp

Rachael Haley Askew, I'm 100% on disabled bays because they are designed for disabled people, usually wider for wheelchairs and closer for that purpose.

People who park in them out of laziness should be fined regardless.

Kelsie Hodgson, Yes! as a parent of two young children I find it infuriating that you can hardly ever get a parent/child bay at busy periods. I wouldn't even mind if they were further away from the store. It's not about being close to the door, it's about having the space to open your car door and get your children out without bumping people's cars.

Emma Birrell, As a parent of two little boys, having no roads to cross when I get them out of the car is extremely important. There aren't many safe places to cross when you have to park far away just to have the space to get them out of the car.

In the "no" camp

Mark Casson, How about Tesco just make wider parking places then people wont use them.

Paul Regan, If the money was to go to charities that supported the disabled and children, then I could get on board with it but if it's just going to line the pockets of Tesco/DVLA then no, I'm not in favour of this move.

Lynda Shaw, No. On what basis of law is this possible?