TICKET machines in Colchester’s car parks earn the borough council thousands of pounds extra every year – because they do not give change.

It is estimated that motorists who did not have the right change last year paid about £3,000 too much for their tickets at car parks run by Colchester Council, which include Middleborough, St Mary’s and St John’s.

A spot-check on a well-used pay-and-display machine in Britannia car park found 18 out of 824 commuters and shoppers had put in too much money – mostly people paying £4 for four hours of parking when the tariff is £3.60.

Parking services manager Richard Walker said drivers were recommended to keep a bag of change when travelling to unfamiliar places, but added new special offer tariffs, such as £2 for parking between 10am and 3pm at one car park, were largely round numbers.

“As a measure, £3,000 buys about two thirds of a new pay-and-display machine, would resurface 11 spaces or redecorate a quarter of a stairwell,” he said.

“Whilst pay-and-display machines have not traditionally given change – and this is true country-wide – we aim to provide different systems in case people do not have change, such as the alternative Verrus telephone payment system as the alternative on those car parks, or the pay-on-foot machines in multi-storeys, which do give change.”

The council, which is set to introduce inflation-busting fee rises of up to 22 per cent in the new year, is set to buy two machines next year which accept credit cards. They are to be trialed in Britannia and Sheepen Road car parks.

Parking chiefs are also planning to scrap the 10p and 20p costs when buying tickets using the telephone park-and-pay system from next month, although fees for reminder texts will remain.

Last year, overall parking income for Colchester Council was £3.2 million – of which £1.5 million came from pay-and-display machines.