Burnham-On-Sea motorists have hit out at Somerset County Council after it introduced Spring parking charges along the town’s seafront this week even though half of all the payment machines are out of use.
New charges came into force as usual at the start of April along Burnham’s seafront, but motorists wanting to pay for parking are being left ‘frustrated’ by out-of-action payment machines.
One motorist, Elizabeth Sherring, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Along the Esplanade there are five out-of-order payment machines. I’m sure nobody likes to pay during the summer but it helps if you physically can!”
A spokesman for Somerset County Council has responded: “We are aware of the problem with some machines and our contractor is in the process of repairing them.”
“The problem is caused by the weather and proximity to the coast which why is we wait until March to ensure they are working.”
“Drivers can also use our mobile phone payment system. The supplier is due to change in early April; following which drivers will no longer have to pay the convenience fee.”
The same problem happened last year along Burnham’s Esplanade when many parking payment machines were not working at the start of the season.
On The Esplanade, the chargeable times are 9am to 6pm daily between 1st April and 30th September.
The charges are: 60 minutes costs 70p, 120 minutes costs £1.40, 180 minutes costs £2.10, and 240 minutes is £3.20.
