TRADIES flouting parking restrictions are piling on the parking pain for businesses and customers in Blackburn.

Businesses in the Railway Parade area have for months been frustrated by construction workers from apartment building developments taking control of vital parking spaces each day.

The problem has become worse in recent weeks with the intensification of the level crossing removal project taking up more parking spaces.

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Leader has observed tradies’ various tricks and organised tactics to avoid being fined while they keep their cars in the carpark at the corner of Railway Parade and Albert St well beyond the three-hour limit.

Some of the tradies have kept their cars in the exact same spot for an entire working day by reversing just a few metres out of their space for a minute or two and then driving back in to avoid triggering any electronic sensors.

media_camera The tradies have been hogging parking at the carpark at the corner of Railway Parade and Albert St.

Another tactic used is directly swapping parking spots with colleagues without leaving the carpark.

This tactic goes against the Victorian Road Rules, which require them to leave the entire carpark before returning to it.

The owner of Curves Blackburn, Janet Gardner, said her clients were unable to find parking, even early in the morning.

“I know the tradies have a job to do, but it has been very disruptive,” Ms Gardner said.

“Sometimes I’ve even seen a vehicle back into the entrance of the carpark and stay there while everyone does their swap around.”

The main culprits Leader observed came from the Boardwalk apartments construction site opposite the carpark, which is being built by Orange Building Solutions.

When contacted by Leader about the behaviour of its tradies, Orange Building Solutions refused to comment.

Whitehorse Council’s general manager corporate services Peter Smith said parking inspectors patrolled the carpark twice a day.

He said 22 parking fines were issued in the carpark in the past six months, which works out to be less than one fine per week.

Mr Smith said the council would consider other monitoring options.