Council is slammed after parking fiasco

Angry drivers have contacted the News since the machines were ‘switched on’ last week.

They say that at first, the machines didn’t accept any kind of payment - cash or card.

However, a number of machines only accepted payments by card or mobile phone.

That led to confusion at council-owned car parks with drivers worried they could be fined or not displaying a valid ticket.

Jim Duncan was one of more than a dozen drivers to complain.

He said: “It’s been crazy. There was nothing wrong with the old machines but obviously the council has money to burn.

“What they fail to realise is than not everyone has a card or a mobile phone to make a payment.

“The machines weren’t accepting cash and there were long queues at a lot of them – especially at the Tesco car park”

Isabel Martin questioned why East Lindsey didn’t provide signs or leaflets to advise people what to do.

She said: “Everyone was so frustrated that the machines would not take money.

“Someone said ‘just park for free’ but a lot of people were worried they could get a fine because the wardens were around.

“Quite a few people just got back in their cars and drove off without staying.”

Town councillor Richard Barker said he had spoken to several drivers and described the situation as ‘unacceptable.’

He said: “There’s no signage and people are less than please having spent time trying to pay.

“Who in ELDC is responsible for this incompetent management and were our district councillors aware of these new meters being installed – and that they would not be working until commissioned.?

“Several people commented to the effect that this was ‘typical of ELDC’ who are useless and a waste of space. The words fight and paper bag come to mid. “

l The News contacted ELDC but did not receive a reply before deadline.