Whitby hotelier Dick Brew and tourism chief Charles Forgan backed by MP Robert Goodwill recently mounted a campaign, Whitby Against Clamping, to combat clamping problems experienced by car park users.

Since the beginning of this month Ethical Parking Services, has taken over the station parking from clamping firm, Hadrian Traffic Management.

And they started issuing parking tickets immediately for fines of £90 or £60 if paid within 14 days.

The firm's marketing director Joe Osborn said: "One driver had been there for 30 minutes and another for 40 minutes and they hadn't paid at all – they just parked up and walked off."

For the present, the car park will continue to operate a 24-hour pay and display system but within the next two to three months it will come into line with council car parks with free parking after 6pm.

Mr Osborn said: "Northern Rail has agreed for us to change to 8am to 6pm shortly, when it will be free afterwards, the same as the council car parks.

"I think we can co-operate with the people of Whitby – we're not out to make a fast buck like some firms in this business.

"We took a decision when we started our business to be a bit different and we have won an award for our parking services for disabled people."

Mr Forgan said: "We've done a lot of work on it and I'm obviously extremely pleased that the draconian clamping has gone.

"But it's extremely important to put up clear signage at the payment point. The signage has been completely ineffective and people still think that the car park belongs to the Co-op or the council.

"It's also very important that Ethical Parking Services and Northern Rail, which owns the car park, discuss it with the town council, especially if the charges and the fines are not going to be aligned with the council's."

Mr Osborn and Mr Goodwill will be at the car park on Friday 20 June at 12 noon to talk to drivers about the new policy. The car park charges are 80 pence for half-an-hour and £5 for all day.

Scarborough Council's parking wardens can issue fixed penalty notices of £70 for certain parking contraventions such as parking in a disabled bay which if paid within 14 days is discounted to £35.

People failing to display a valid ticket can be issued with a £50 fine which if paid within 14 days is reduced to £25. Parking in council-owned car parks is free after 6pm.

One of the last people to be clamped was Mr Bassett from Lincolnshire who was clamped on Saturday 24 May while he ordered a takeaway meal from Whitby Tandoori, not realising he would need a ticket for the 30 minutes he was a way from his car. After the incident they cut their holiday short.

But Mr Osborn says Ethical Parking will now refund the £100 Mr Bassett had to pay as a goodwill gesture.