Get to the Back of the Queue

Mid-Sussex District Council has made a long-overdue U-turn concerning its supposed state-of-the-art parking payment machines.

Two and a half years ago, the authority installed a hi-tech payment system which required customers to enter the last three characters of their registration when purchasing a parking ticket. Originally, it was the whole registration that was required. But, even the shortened version, conceded in response to a vociferous campaign by the local newspaper, caused frustrating delays, with people having to wait for up to 20 minutes just to obtain a ticket.

Even the council's own spokesman, Chris Jerrey, had to admit that, "The parking machines are ghastly," and likened them to a "1990s mobile phone."

Colleague, Christine Mainstone weighed in with, "It's ridiculous, the car parks are always empty anyway," adding that reducing the fees would be a significant move.

It is unclear exactly what the point of imprinting your number plate on your parking ticket was. However, it seems likely that intention was a mean-minded ploy to prevent unexpired tickets being donated to others.

Shame. This altruistic practice has long provided a pleasant and sociable exchange between motorists, establishing innocent camaraderie by making a point, at a trivial cost to money-grabbing councils.

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