The rollout of new parking machines across North Herts has seen "teething problems", the district council's executive member for place has admitted.

Cllr Donna Wright (Lab) told a committee meeting on Tuesday (September 9) that the authority is "working through" those problems, with steps already taken to improve issues.

In March this year, Arrive replaced parking machines across town centres in North Herts to allow for new check-in check-out payments. It means drivers only have to pay for the actual time they have parked. 

Since then, however, Cllr Wright said some machines had had "technical problems" with network connections, while others had faced "visibility issues" using the touchscreens in sunlight.

Across April to June, 2,553 penalty charge notices (PCNs) were issued for parking in the town centre car parks – a rise of 61 per cent from 1,585 PCNs in the equivalent period of last year.

44 per cent of fines in April to June this year were challenged, with 78 per cent of those challenges successful, against figures of 32 per cent and 66 per cent respectively for the same period last year.

Reasons given for the rising numbers include drivers entering their vehicle registration numbers incorrectly and an increased number of parking wardens. 

Cllr Wright said that fixes, including installing "industrial SIM cards [and] modems" have been or are being attempted to improve connection issues, while screens will be "cleaned regularly for visibility".

She said: "Inevitably, early technical issues and customer confusion have led to higher PCNs and complaints, but corrective actions and public adaptation are reducing these problems.

"The current data trend is showing that errors are reducing as the public adapts.

"Despite the teething problems … the new system has definitely modernised our council car parks and increased convenience and flexibility for users."

She pointed to rising car park usage, with the total number of stays up six per cent in April to June year-on-year.

"The new system has clearly not put people off, and it does offer people more flexibility to wander around the towns without worrying about getting back to their cars by a certain time or having to worry about putting tickets in the windscreen."

Cllr Wright also confirmed that "signage updates are underway" to address confusion from some users about how the new system for payments works.

She said that the council had expected an increase in the number of PCNs issued after the new machines were installed, but added: "We didn't anticipate how many people would enter their vehicle registration numbers incorrectly."

Louise Symes, the council's strategic planning manager, said that the Portmill Lane car parks in Hitchin had seen particular issues with network connections.

She said the council is now looking at installing antennae to see if that will help the situation, and has also considered relocating some machines within car parks.

"We are working hard, we are trying to find a solution for those two car parks," Ms Symes said.

Conservative group leader, Cllr Ralph Muncer, said there has been "an awful lot of confusion" among residents about the new machines, with "large queues forming" at them. 

He said that talk of relocating machines raised "alarm bells" about potential costs to the council.

Officers responded that any additional costs would be discussed with the contractor, and confirmed that the project is currently within its £300,000 budget.

Cllr Jon Clayden (LD) suggested "hoods" could be provided at machines where sunlight was an issue, while Cllr Martin Prescott (Con) questioned whether some PCNs "should never have been issued in the first place".

The installation of new machines at Norton Common and Hitchin Swim Centre has been delayed due to the need for new Traffic Regulation Orders, though Cllr Wright noted that the new order for Norton Common has "recently been completed and came into force from mid July".