Parking upgrade drags on – and cards don’t work

Parking machines which were due to be installed by the end of August are still being introduced.

The new terminals across Ashford and Tenterden feature a larger screen and various payment methods to allow visitors to quickly and easily pay for their parking tickets.

The older machines are more than 10 years old, and have suffered from wear and tear and technical issues.

Software which allows card payments on the new machines is also still in the process of being set up.

An Ashford Borough Council spokesman said: “The majority of parking terminals which were due to be replaced have now been replaced.

“There are still two to be installed at Dover Place car park. These were held back prior to construction commencing on the site, but will be in place soon.

“There is also one terminal awaiting installation in Vicarage Lane car park, which currently has a power supply issue. This is being investigated with Powergen.

“The decision was taken to replace those machines which see the most use, therefore some of the older machines will still be present in some areas of the borough.

“We are currently in the process of setting up card payment software and do not have a set date for the rollout of this but anticipate the new system to arrive shortly.”

Buying a ticket on the new machines can be completed using the touchscreen to insert the last three characters of a reg- istration number and select the amount of parking time.

Fewer coin collections from the terminals are anticipated, which the council says will save money.

Profits generated will be put back into supporting the council’s parking and highways projects and road safety campaigns.

One of the new machines at the Civic and Stour Centre car park