NEW TICKET machines have been installed at a Wrexham car park which drivers have been avoiding due to issues recently.

The Island Green car park has become infamous in recent times for people receiving fines, when in many cases, they feel they have been wrongly given one.

The issue has grown to the point where businesses say they are missing out on customers as people are too afraid to park there.

Wilko and Asda Living have both closed their stores there recently, and local MS' Lesley Griffiths and Ken Skates have been trying to address the parking issue with Euro Car Parks, who are in charge of parking.

But, problems are persisting there, with drivers saying they are being wrongly fined due to the ticketing machine not working properly.

The car park uses automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to read number plates as cars enter and exit the car park.

However, the ticket machine has been reported several times to miss off bits of number plates, resulting in drivers who park there facing a fine.

Now, it has been confirmed, that new ticket machines have been placed on site in attempts to address these issues.

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Wrexham MP Sarah Atherton, who has also been in contact with Euro CarParks over the matter, says several residents have been in touch with her about the issue.

She added that it had been 'particularly difficult' for elderly residents to be able to read instructions on the old machines.

Ms Atherton says she is 'extremely pleased' to see the new ticket machines now in place.

She said: "A number of constituents have contacted me regarding ticket machines at Island Green car park.

"Many of the ticket machines have been damaged and due to this, it has been particularly difficult for the elderly or for those with visual impairments to read the instructions and enter car parking details. It was also raised that some of the screens on the ticket machines have been faded/ damaged by the sun and are also difficult to see.

"Having worked hard to ensure Euro Car Parks replace these machines, I was extremely pleased to see the new models in place earlier this week. Now, residents can park easily, continue to pay with cash and card and enter their parking details correctly."

Wrexham’s Member of the Senedd, Lesley Griffiths added: “I have been corresponding regularly with Euro Car Parks for over a year and our communication is still ongoing. 

"Unfortunately, I was unaware of these upgrades but it is certainly a welcome development and I hope it improves the situation at Island Green. 

"Ken Skates MS and I remain keen to meet with Euro Car Parks representatives as it would enable us to discuss the local issues in greater detail.

“With Christmas almost upon us, I would still urge people parking at Island Green to exercise caution. Constituents continue to contact me regarding ‘keying errors’ so shoppers should take extra care when entering their car registration details.”