OVER a year after people in Marlborough began to complain about broken ticket machines in the town's High Street, things have still not improved, with shoppers saying only one of the street's four ticket machines is ever working.

Susan Elks, 71, of Manton Hollow, said: “It is a big problem for people wishing to park in the town. There are times when you just cannot buy a ticket at all so you have to risk getting a parking fine. I park in the High Street every day. I live in Manton so I tend to visit Marlborough quite often.

"It seems to have been like this for a year now. There are a number of traffic wardens that patrol the area and they are really lovely but they receive a lot of abuse from people who get tickets because they couldn’t use the machines.”

The issue is causing increasing anger amongst shoppers and traders, who fear the problem is not doing the town's image any good and could hit trade. The length of the High Street means older people in particular find it difficult to hunt for a working ticket machine.

The Gazette highlighted the problems with the ticket machines last summer, when Wiltshire Council said it would get them repaired. Now there are fears that council cutbacks mean money to fix the machines will never get to the top of the list for spending priorities.

On Friday only one of the four machines was working, with the other covered with hoods saying they were out of order.

Mrs Elks added: “I called the town council a couple of times to talk about it but they said it was something I would have to take up with Wiltshire Council. When I did contact them I was told that there are budget restraints.

"It is a false economy. If I had a broken washing machine I would pay to get it fixed, it is the same principle. I often risk leaving my car without a ticket and in the past two weeks I have received two parking tickets,” added Mrs Elks.

Traders in the town have said that the issue goes further than the risk of getting a ticket, noting that the machines also don’t give change and that the charges are not convenient amounts for people to pay.

Janice Pattison, owner of Ducklings Toy Shop in Hilliers Yard, said: “The machines don’t give out change. I get people coming in to ask for smaller change so they can pay for a ticket. I don’t mind providing them with it, but it is inconvenient. I understand there are plans to change the scheme so people can only pay over their mobile, but the phone coverage in Marlborough can be very erratic.”

The problem has been recognised by Marlborough Town Council, which advises people to always pay their parking by phone to avoid a fine. There is currently a two-hour parking limit in the High Street from Monday-Saturday 8am-6pm, with parking fees ranging from 50p for an hour to £1.90 for two hours.

Coun Stewart Dobson said: “It is regrettable that it causes such an inconvenience for people who park in the town. The problem we have with the machines, not just in Marlborough but over the whole county, is that they are quite old. Next year a new pound coin will be issued so the machines will need updating.

"If people cannot use the machines they should use their phones, although I understand not everyone has a new model phone to make the payment.

“Wiltshire Council will know which machines are working. If none of them are then people are advised to contact the council as you can appeal the ticket, but that is only if there are no machines in use at all.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “We appreciate people letting us know if machines are out of order and we’d encourage them to take a ticket from one of the other machines on the High Street or pay via their mobile phone to avoid a parking fine. If no machines are operational they can report the matter to us and leave a note on their windscreen advising that all machines are out of order.

“Normally there is always at least one machine working. We are currently exploring all methods to pay for parking to address any persistent issues, this includes looking at replacement machines.”