Following the installation of new car park payment machines, North Herts District Council issued a statement explaining that they "would like to clarify some things after having received some customer feedback".

Cllr Daniel Allen, Leader of North Herts Council and Executive Member for Planning & Transport, explained: "Most people have been able to use the new system without any issues, but unfortunately, it does seem like one of the new features – 'Checking in and Checking out' – is causing some confusion. The point of this facility is to allow those paying electronically to 'Check in' at the start of their visit, and 'Check out' when they finish, without having to guess how long they'll be or rush back to the car park."

The following points will hopefully clarify some issues and help people feel more confident using the new machines:

-Parking is still free between 6pm and 8am and on Sundays and Bank Holidays, as stated on the tariff boards. Please do not register a session or 'Check in' / 'Check out' when parking is free as you may still be charged.

-During chargeable hours only, please enter your registration number correctly at the machine, as you would if using a supermarket or hotel machine for instance. You will be subject to a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) if not.

-Please register and pay for your parking session using one of the available methods:

-Pre-pay for a fixed period when you know how long you need to park for using contactless or cash (where available) or

-'Check in' with contactless if you are unsure how long you might need and 'Check out' when you leave.

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-If you have checked into a 'Check in' / 'Check out' session, the maximum parking charge is reserved against your card as a 'pending' amount. Upon checking out, the charge for the number of hours that you have stayed will be debited from your account and the pending amount is released. This can take several days to show on your account, depending on your provider. 

-If you do not 'Check out', you will automatically be checked out at the end of the maximum parking time for the car park. 

-The payment machines are ticketless and you will not receive a ticket to display in your windscreen.

-If you have a 'Blue Badge' you just need to display it, you do not need to register a parking session.

-Season ticket holders in a long stay car park also do not need to register a parking session, as they just need to display a valid season ticket. 

• You can get a receipt at the machine for your parking session if you pay by card. Unfortunately you can't get a receipt if you pay by cash.
• You can still 'PayByPhone' and use the accompanying app if you don't want to use the machines.
• Some machines at some times have experienced technical issues such as poor network connection or communication errors. Teething problems are not uncommon with any new system, and we continue to work with Flowbird UK, the machine operator, to resolve these. If you find a machine is not working please use another one if possible or use PayByPhone to pay for your parking.

We have FAQs on our website and while we have already promoted some 'how to' videos we are working to issue some improved versions with step-by-step narration.

For more information, please visit: www.north-herts.gov.uk/ParkingMachines