CIVIC chiefs are set to end the frustration of out of order parking machines in the Square in Wickham.

The machines have been unreliable for some time, a meeting heard.

Cllr Angela Clear asked a question about the issue at the full Council meeting: "The current ones are continually out of order. Today they were all broken down again."

But the situation should improve imminently. Cllr Kelsie Learney, cabinet member for climate emergency, said she understood people's frustration but revealed that work on replacing the machines would start on Monday September 23 with a planned completion date of October 1.

Cllr Learney said: "The new machines should take card payment which should improve reliability going forward."

She said new machines will also be installed in the Winchester park and ride car parks too.