A WOMAN who lives near Whitchurch has expressed fury after receiving a fine after being unable to use a 'broken machine' in one of the town's car parks.

The woman, who does not want to be named, was using the car park in the Smithfield Shopping Centre in Brownlow Street on Wednesday, November 2 and went to pay at the machine, only to find she was unable to do so.

She spoke of her anger and has contacted other people who have used the car park about the machine.

She said: "I am just a little bit annoyed, you get stung with a £51 fine when the machine doesn't work.

"I actually put it on social media and there have been quite a few people who have had the same situation, it is an ongoing concern for everybody.

"It is just unfair with everything going up, I am really angry."

The lady said she took of photo of the machine to show it did not work, but she said she received the fine on Wednesday, November 16.

She explained: "Once I'd done my shopping and was leaving, I went to pay at the Horizon Parking machine only to find out it wasn't working.

"So I couldn't pay and I went into a store and told staff about my issue and the gentleman said just take a photograph of it in case you get a fine which I did.

"And low and behold, the fine came through the door yesterday to say I had not paid when leaving, which this is a pretty hard thing to do when the machine isn't working."

The woman paid the fine, but added she was concerned about the impact and feared this would put some people off from visiting the town.

She added: "I paid the fine as I don't want to end up having another fine due to a late payment.

"I feel that people will stop coming to our beautiful Whitchurch to shop or even to stop parking there if this situation continues.

"I feel this is a ongoing concern, I spoke to an elderly couple on that day, as they asked where the Horizon parking machine was, so I showed them.

"I just hope they didn't get a fine too.

"I dread to think how many more people on this day really did get a fine of £51 due to the machine not working.

"After the 14 days it goes up to £85, its rather steep with everything going up."

The lady concluded: "It has made me think where I park my car from now on when I come back home to Whitchurch to shop.

"I hope this matter somehow can be resolved."

Horizon Parking have been approached for comment.