Drivers have been left furious and terrified they might be fined after ticket machines vanished from their local village car parks without warning.
Over the course of one weekend, the well-used ticket machines seemingly “disappeared” and replaced by traffic cones.
The move came as a part of a rollout of new machines that allowed motorists to pay using cash, card or a smartphone - but locals weren't told this.
They were left in the dark over the change and have said the move is “unacceptable” as it has left some afraid they might get fined with the new machines were yet to be installed.
Some motorists in Mevagissey, Cornwall, where two car parks are affected, don’t have a smartphone so have been left unable to use the car parks - one of which is used regularly for visiting the local doctors, or by elderly shoppers.
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The parking machines were said to have 'disappeared' over one weekend (stock image) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)One person told CornwallLive: "I know several people who use the car park to use shops and doctors who don't even have mobile phones"
Another outraged driver claimed it was "clear discrimination" against people without smartphones. "It's not right," they said.
Another added: "Lots of confused and frustrated older customers call in [the] shop asking what is happening with it as they either don't have a smartphone or are confused by multiple apps and long winded payments."
James Mustoe, councillor for Mevagissey and St Austell Bay, said it was "unacceptable" that neither he or his constituents were told in advance about the machines being removed at the two short stay car parks.
"I thought it was odd but it was confirmed on Sunday that the machines have just disappeared," he said.
He added: "There is a roll out currently of new machines across Cornwall which will take card payments - which is a good thing - but at no point should the car parks be left without service during that time."
Mr Mustoe said the situation was “clearly unacceptable” and admitted he still hadn’t been told when the machines would be replaced.
He continued: "People who use these car parks in Mevagissey are primarily short stay shopping car parks that older people use who might not have access to apps or smart phones and are reliant on cash, particularly for the doctor's surgery."
The councillor said people should have at least been told so they could be aware of the change. But that it would’ve been more efficient to install the new machines at the same time they removed the old ones.
A Cornwall Council spokesperson said: "Payment machines in Cornwall Council’s car parks are being upgraded to give customers alternative payment options. The new machines mean that people who find it more convenient to pay by card will be able to do. Payment by cash or through the Just Park app are still options.
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"Unfortunately, the old payment machines in Cornwall Council car parks in Mevagissey were removed at the end of last week before the new replacement machines were delivered and installed. This was an isolated incident with the replacement programme going as planned in other Cornwall Council car parks.
"We apologise to car park users in Mevagissey who were affected over the weekend. The new machines are now in place there, and customers can pay for parking by cash, card or through the Just Park app."
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