AN irate driver pushed and abused a parking marshal as the booming popularity of a city centre multi-storey car park continues to drive motorists up the wall.

Police ended up cautioning a man in his 50s for racially aggravated common assault, after they were called to a row over a parking space.

It is not known why the row started at about 1pm on Saturday, June 30, but the man admitted pushing the marshal and verbally abusing him. The marshal was unhurt.

It comes amid consistent complaints about the car park – as first reported back in April – about it getting log-jammed at peak times, with readers reporting problems with nose-to-tail traffic inside, and in some cases queues of up to 45 minutes.

One driver Karen Powell, of Droitwich, spent that long trying to get off the fourth floor earlier this month vowing “never again”.

Richard Kennea, store manager, said the store and car park were very busy, apologising to drivers experiencing delays.

In a straw poll of readers’ views, the Worcester News found the lure of three hours’ parking for £1 – with cashback for Asda shoppers – was a big bonus to many drivers.

But many were critical of the layout of the ramps, directions inside the car park, and the flow of traffic which places drivers who are trying to get inside against cars wanting to get back out.

Mrs Powell, of Lahn Drive, said: “People are coming down in the same area where people are coming up.

“It actually appears to me like it was designed by someone who has never before designed a car park.

“It’s the flow of traffic which causes the problem.

“I had heard of someone stuck in there for 45 minutes, but you put that down to over-exuberance.

“Then I went myself, with my daughter, and we were stuck in there 45 minutes.

“I think if it carries on, someone is going to come down one of the ramps and there will be a hell of a pile-up.”

She has not returned since. Asda is aware it has an issue and has employed parking marshals to help control traffic flows and direct drivers, and is now working on a permanent solution to the problem.

Mr Kennea said: “Since the store opened we’ve been over the moon with the response from the local community, it’s a very busy store and so is the car park. We apologise to customers who are experiencing delays – we are working on a solution to ease congestion and we ask customers to bear with us until we’ve finalised the details.”

West Mercia Police said it was called “during an altercation over a parking space” .

“West Mercia Police does not tolerate hate crime and we will deal robustly with any reports of racism in our communities,” the force’s spokeswoman said.

Meanwhile, Jon Fraser, a Worcestershire County Council highways manager, said traffic flow outside the car park was being monitored “as with any major development”.

What our Facebook fans said

WE asked our readers on facebook.com/theworcesternews what they thought of the Asda car park. Here's what they said:

Caroline Erskine said the “giveways don’t take into account both sides of traffic so I wouldn’t be surprised if there weren’t a few bumps, while Jane Collins said it was “an accident waiting to happen” but said it had “good parking and access for the disabled, and I love the shop itself”.

Claire Cox, of Worcester, said: “Value for money is the only positive feature.

“It’s probably the most awkward, poorly laid-out car park that I have ever had the displeasure of using.”

She said unclear exit signs had confused a driver, causing tailbacks, and positioning of the ramps “hinders cars trying to get in or out of a parking space”.

She acknowledged Asda’s parking marshals directed traffic but said a better layout would make them unecessary.

Steven Taylor said: “The security guards are helpful, sometimes they organise the traffic going in and out, they should do it more often.

Rebbecca Keville said “I find it very tight – however only charging £1 for three hours is brilliant,” echoed by Jonathan Stroulger, who said he could “easily drive round it” and you could not go wrong with the price.

Samantha Jones said: “We personally have not had a problem there – love it.”

• What do you think of the car park? Tell us in the comment box below.