MOTORISTS are being left “confused” at a “ridiculous state of affairs” after height signs around Festival Place have been found to be giving drivers incorrect information.

Concerns around the signs were brought forward by 45-year-old Steve Slater, who was told by Festival Place that despite the shopping centre allowing access to vehicles of up to 2.1m, when drivers leave they would be forced to use the Hampshire County Council run underpass which is only 1.9m high. 

Drivers of vehicles up to 2.1m can access Festival Place by using an entrance and exit located on Festival Way. 

However, when they then opt to leave the car park via this exit, as the only other exit from Festival Place is via the Alencon Link which can only allow vehicles up 1.98m to leave, they are faced with signs that state the heigh limit of an underpass along Festival Way is 1.9m.

In a series of e-mails, seen by The Gazette, between Mr Slater and a representative from Festival Place, this potentially dangerous layout was confirmed and that the underpass was Hampshire County Council’s responsibility.

Talking to The Gazette Mr Slater said: “It’s a ridiculous state of affairs.“Essentially Festival Place is just washing their hands of the problem and giving information out incorrectly. It needs to change. Drivers are going to be thinking they will be stuck in the car park because they won’t want to get their vehicles scratched on the underpass. This whole episode is frustrating and it’s utterly stupid.”

When The Gazette contacted Festival Place they wished to only confirm the height of exit points from the centre and make no further comment. 

The Gazette went down to the underpass on Festival Way and found that two signs faced motorists leaving along this route. One confirmed the height of 8ft 9in (2.67m) and the other as 6ft 6in (1.98m).

After measuring the underpasses, it was found that both were in actual fact suitable for vehicles with a height of 2.1m – meaning the 6ft 6in sign was incorrect. 

When contacted a spokesperson for Hampshire County Council, said: “We have reviewed the signage and are in the process of updating the signs to make them consistent.”

This is an issue Eastrop Councillor Stuart Parker will make sure is now bought up with HCC.

Mr Parker said: “I would have thought with a little more perseverance with management of Festival Place and HCC, I can see no reason why these aren’t just changed.

“I understand the views raised that drivers may be concerned to leave the exit as the signs are misleading and because this has been bought to my attention, I will make sure an enquiry surrounding the signage of this road is made to HCC.”