FRUSTRATED drivers were left in confusion at city car parks after all the payment machines were removed over the 'flood risk' and several bewildered people were unable to pay.
Drivers were seen in The Cattlemarket car park frantically trying to download the cashless parking app (which charges more than other methods) because all the payment machines had been taken away.
The payment machines were removed in all five car parks closest to the river - Cattlemarket, Pitchcroft, Croft Road, Newport Street, and Tybridge Street.
There was chaos at The Cattlemarket car park as the payment machines were removed with people looking at their phones, trying to download RingGo and many visibly upset at delays to their plans which included shopping, going to work or keeping appointments.
A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said the payment machines were removed in all five car parks at risk of flooding - and that there were signs at the entrance telling people the car parks were closed - but very few people at The Cattlemarket seemed to have seen any as the car park was virtually full on Friday. The Worcester News understands the machines will be replaced by the end of Saturday.
One woman said 'I have an appointment! I'm going!' as she left the car park near The Hive in disgust on Friday.
RECOMMENDED READING: M5 speed cameras catch several drivers going over 40mph
RECOMMENDED READING: Warndon Villages humming noise is giving us 'a hangover'
Jo Bonnick from Shrawley said: "My mum is in her 70s. I know she would find this quite difficult. She is just getting used to smartphones. It's a generational thing. It's not very good. It is not very inclusive.
"It would be quite difficult if you are not tech savvy. "
One mum, who was with her 10-year-old son, said: "It's horrible and extremely frustrating. It relies on you having a phone with an internet connection - and the app. I made sure I had coins. We have got to get to the movies shortly."
Jeanette Martin of Kidderminster was at the car park with her granddaughter, Lola Hawkins, 12, trying to pay.
Mrs Martin said she thought she would have been in the shops '10 minutes ago'.
"We are just trying to download the app now. We're a bit annoyed. We normally pay by cash or coins. My granddaughter is downloading the app because her nan couldn't do it," she said.
One man in his 50s, who was trying to get to work but could not pay, said: "This is outrageous."
A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: “The forecast for this flood event was for exceptionally high river levels, so as a precaution we removed all the payment machines in the five car parks closest to the river - Cattlemarket, Pitchcroft, Croft Road, Newport Street, and Tybridge Street.
“We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused, however all five car parks have signs at the entrance saying they are closed because of the floods and advising people to use St Martin’s Gate multi-storey car park instead.
“With the flood level now falling, we are working to reinstall the payment machines and re-open these five car parks.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel