An elderly man is putting pressure on the council to rethink the “nightmare” positioning of a car park payment machine in the town.

Raymond Freed, 74, of Croxley Green in Rickmansworth said the pay machine in Northway car park is causing “inconvenience and confusion” for people because it is “hidden away” and is the only machine in a large car park.

Mr Freed said he experienced problems finding the only payment machine because there is no signage and he is concerned other elderly people and high street traders will be impacted. 

Raymond in blue, and Cllr Hiscocks

Watford Observer:

He said the size of the car park, which he claims can hold up to one hundred cars, has caused him to use up valuable minutes of parking time getting from one end to the other.

Raymond said: “I visited the car park on June 15 and I had to park at the opposite end of the car park to the pay station. 

“By the time I had walked to the machine, joined the queue of four people and collected my ticket and returned to my car it had taken seven minutes. Quite ridiculous. The whole thing is a complete nightmare.”

“Those at the council responsible for the implementation of this new parking arrangement have obviously not given sufficient thought or consideration as to the inconvenience which this sole and badly positioned machine is causing many of the car park users.”

Mr Freed also said that the machine is impractical because it accepts card only payment and that an electronic method would be preferable. 

He added: “The car park urgently needs a second machine located at the opposite end of the car park or the existing machine relocated in a more central position. 

“I am noticing that many people are obviously trying now to park at the section of the car park nearest the pay station.”

Raymond and Cllr Hiscocks

Watford Observer:

Cllr Paula Hiscocks, who campaigned against the removal of the free two hours parking in Rickmansworth Town, said: “The lower Northway carpark is underground and the machine has been located in a far, dark corner making it difficult to find for those whose eye sight is deteriorating, and it is also a vulnerable location when using a credit card presenting safeguarding issues.

“A machine also needs to be positioned at the entrance where there is natural day light and is in public view and I am extremely concerned that many shop keepers may not be able to continue trading.”

Mr Freed added: “My goal is to have a metre at each end or one in the middle.”

A spokesperson for Three Rivers Council said: “The location of the machine in the lower deck of Northway was carefully considered before it was installed. 

“The design of the lower deck car park, which is confined to narrow vehicle channels with multiple pillars made it impossible to locate a safe pedestrian space around the centre of the car park without removing several parking bays, or one of the disabled parking bays, neither of which were considered acceptable options. 

“It is not the case that the machine is located in a dark, remote location because additional signage was introduced to clearly show the location of the current machine; and new lighting was installed directly above the machine.”