Getting this thread back to the parking meters, I e-mailed Dianne Hopper the Parking Services and CCTV Manager about the parking meter in Castle Street and the Stembrook car park meters and I received on the same day e-mails in return.
Ist e-mail
Dear Mr Reid
Thank you for your e-mail.
I am as frustrated as you are about the length of time that the pay and display machine has been out of order in Castle Street.
The problem here is a power problem, and we are in the hands of EDF- it is my understanding that they were requested by our engineer to do the work necessary last August. We are completely in their hands, and unfortunately there is absolutely nothing that I can do to make this happen any quicker.
I am not aware of a problem with the machines in Stembrook car park. I do know that no parking machine is 100% compatible with lighter coins, such as 5p pieces, as, if they are inserted too quickly, they do not register. I will however, get our pay and display engineer to look at these machines.
Regarding your last paragraph, we do actually give additional time in respect of overpayments. Linear charging was introduced into all our car parks from 31 January 2008, following a successful pilot scheme for a period of eighteen months. Very few pay and display machines give change- I do not know of any amongst Kent Local Authorities. However, I am investigating the possibility of paying for parking by mobile telephone, which will negate the need for our customers to carry any change at all.
Thank you for bringing these points to my attention, and I trust I have answered your queries satisfactorily. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.
Dianne Hopper
Parking Services and CCTV Manager
Dover District Council
I then sent Dianne Hooper the following e-mail
Dear Ms Hopper
Thank you for your prompt reply and I fully accept what you have said except in part the Stembrook car park machines. In that car park the machine nearest to St Mary's church appears to hate 20p 10ps and 5ps even the odd 50p.
This machine has been like this for at least two years, some time last year a warden said to me when I complained to him "Rub your coins on the top of the machine they will go in then" I did and yes most coins did go in after that and if you look on top of the machine you will see the marks where people do just that.
Thanks again for your reply it is good to get an quick and honest reply.
Yours sincerely
Mr Harry Reid
to which Dianne Hooper has replied.
Dear Mr Reid,
I have an engineer coming down to look at the machines in Castle Street (with a view to running on battery power) and Stembrook next week. I will pass on to you his findings, as I am intrigued by the rubbing of coins on the top of the machine to make them register.
Two very prompt and positive replies, it is so good when heads of departments take their responsibilities seriously and act on a complaint no matter how trivial it may appear.
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