Now SNP group leader David Alexander and Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn want Falkirk Council to investigate the activities of Birmingham-based Central Ticketing Agency.

The councillors say the company is involved in "questionable" practices and its enforcement role at a car park in Grahams Road, next to Blockbuster and Topps Tiles, is hurting nearby businesses.

Councillor Alexander said: "We will not allow this company to bleed Falkirk motorists dry and will do whatever it takes to drive this company back to the West Midlands where it came from."

The agency, however, says it is registered with the British Parking Association and everything it has done, which includes issuing £60 parking penalties, is above board.

Central Ticketing placed signs in the car park indicating shoppers can park there for up to two hours free of charge. However, the signs also state patrons must remain at the location – which they say means only
Blockbuster or Topps Tiles.

But Councillor Meiklejohn said: "The signs do not indicate which of the local shops are classified as qualifying premises. Employees of the company sit in a car and watch for motorists to enter the car park.

Then they see which shops they visit and, if it isn't Topps Tiles or Blockbuster, they fix £60 penalty tickets to the windscreens of offending cars – no matter how short the visit."

"No attempt is made to assist patrons, making me believe this is all just about making money.

"The company claims if fines are not paid it will contact the DVLA for the personal details of the car owner. I will be taking this up with
Falkirk MP Eric Joyce, as, clearly, this UK Government agency should not be releasing personal details to any company engaged in such questionable practices."

Councillor Alexander said: "Local businesses are being hit by a recession and the last thing we need now are customers being chased away by this operation.

"The car park is well used by people, including many elderly and frail residents going to the local pharmacy. They should not be targeted like this."

According to a source, who did not want to be named, the free car park is only supposed to be used by customers and employees of Blockbuster, Topps Tiles and Falkirk Council – which has an office on the property – as they all lease properties on the land.

"The car park is private and there to benefit these three tenants who pay for it through their lease agreements.

"There has been no control over who parks there for many years. People have just been parking there and then disappearing."

Jason Key, of Central Ticketing Agency, said: "The land owners have decided they want to reclaim their car park and all we are trying to do is help them do that.

"Being members of the British Parking Association we have to follow strict criteria when it comes to issuing parking tickets."

Glasgow based Land and Property Management, which represents the land owner, would not comment as The Falkirk Herald went to press.

A Falkirk Council spokesman would only confirm that the car park was privately owned and was not operated by the local authority