A MILLION pound project to change payment systems at council-owned car parks is coming up against some barriers. But Stevenage Borough Council is confident the project will be beneficial once operational issues have been sorted out. Last week motorist

A MILLION pound project to change payment systems at council-owned car parks is coming up against some barriers.

But Stevenage Borough Council is confident the project will be beneficial once "operational issues" have been sorted out.

Last week motorists were inconvenienced when the railway station car park was out of action because the new technology wasn't working.

The new system means customers are able to pay for their parking by debit or credit card and notes as well as coins.

Car parks and CCTV manager Keith Moore said: "As with the introduction of any new technology there have been a few operational issues but these are being resolved.

"The modernisation of Stevenage car parks is vital in order to meet the growing needs of residents and visitors to the town and I am confident that these new systems will help to achieve this."

So far 13 car parks in Stevenage have had the new systems installed but eventually all council-owned car parks will have the new technology.

Mr Moore said: "This has been a welcome new service, with the exception of a technical fault at the railway car parks that we are currently rectifying."

Payment for the new car parks is made on foot rather than at the exit barrier which has significantly reduced queuing, most notably at Westgate multi-storey and Marshgate.