Council Hits Back At Criticism Of New Parking Machines

Harborough District Council has hit back at criticism from MP Neil O’Brien, after he claimed the authority’s new parking machines were making it harder for people to park.

The council says it has received positive feedback about the upgraded ticketless machines in Market Harborough and insists the changes improve accessibility and reflect how most people now choose to pay.

However, the MP has written to the council’s Chief Executive after receiving complaints about the updated system and said: “There are still a lot of people – myself included – who prefer to pay with coins or cash.

“Many people keep loose change in their car specifically for this purpose. But overnight, the Council has significantly reduced the number of machines that accept coins and cash.

“Unlike previously, not all machines accept cash anymore. Then there is the confusion about how to get your parking refund at Sainsbury’s in Market Harborough. Previously you’d present a paper ticket and get your refund straight away. Now you either have to obtain a four-digit code by scanning a QR code with your smartphone, or – confusingly – you can still get a paper ticket, but only from the fewer machines that still accept coins or cash.

“Residents have also told me that some machines are installed far too low and are very hard to see in bright sunlight. It’s just not a user-friendly system.”

One of the new card only payment machines in the Commons Car Park in Market Harborough

In response, the council said the new machines are faster, more user-friendly, and reflect changing habits, with more people choosing to pay by card or phone.

It stressed that every car park still has at least one cash and card machine, the machines have been designed at a height accessible for disabled drivers, and Sainsbury’s were made fully aware of the changes.

A council spokesperson added: “Our car parking consultation earlier this year showed a preference for people using card or phone payments and usage reports have shown these methods as an increasing trend over time.

“All of our car parks have the option to pay by both card and cash, which was a deliberate decision by the council to ensure they are accessible to all visitors, and our busier car parks have additional card-only payment machines.

“As part of the installation of the new machines, Sainsbury’s was made fully aware of the changes, of how the new machines operate and how to incorporate those changes into their own systems to ensure they would be well placed to share information with staff and customers.

“Customers will be partially reimbursed at the usual rate if they are shopping at the store by requesting either a physical (cash and card machine) or digital (card machine) receipt, however, a pay and display ticket will no longer be issued.”

“It was disappointing to hear that some shoppers have had initial teething troubles using the machines. There are many benefits to the new machines including there being no need to walk back to the car to display a ticket.”

One of the new cash and card payment machines in the Commons Car Park in Market Harborough