Village's vandalised parking ticket machines axed

Ticket machines have been removed from a car park in an affluent Cheshire village after repeated incidents of vandalism.

Cheshire East Council said anyone using Shirleys Car Park in Prestbury could now only pay for their parking by using an app, over the phone or via a text message.

Council officers reported damage to machines as well as posters - covering payment information signs - protesting about the legitimacy of parking charges.

Cheshire Police said it was called to reports of criminal damage and confirmed inquiries were ongoing.

The council said there had been a number of incidents at the site, including the meter being completely smashed.

There had also been incidents of posters being put up, while payment screens had been rendered unusable.

The local authority said there had been "costly replacements and repairs" because of the incidents.

Parking had been free in Prestbury until the introduction of charges in a number of towns and villages in the borough in December.

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