COUNCIL car park bosses pocketed an extra £40,000 last year because motorists did not have the exact change to pay the tariffs.

According to data obtained by The Gazette, Colchester Council’s coffers were boosted to the sum of £41,228.50 from their six town centre car parks as a result of overpayment in 2016.

None of their car parks which include Vineyard Street, Britannia, Priory Street, St Mary’s, St John’s and Middleborough, give change to motorists who choose to pay with coins.

In total, more than 1.1 million stays were recorded at the car parks which added up to £2,988,817.15 in tariffs.

Chris Duck, 32, from Rowhedge, was disappointed to find the St John’s multi-storey car park did not give change when he visited recently.

He said: “The £41,000 is extra revenue for them.

“When you look at the total which they earn in parking I think the amount is pretty disgusting.

“I think it is pretty abysmal to be honest.”

Colchester Council’s head of operational services Matthew Young said: “There is no pay and display machine available which gives change available which is why we encourage phone and contactless payment.”

St John’s and St Mary’s car parks were pay on return until 2015 and Mr Young said changing them had improved the way they worked.

He said: “The systems at St John’s and St Mary’s were failing, especially the barriers.

“We did look to review the barriers and the number plate recognition technology but it was going to be too expensive to fix - more than £100,000.

“The new system improves the flow and stops people getting frustrated when the barriers do not move.”

Mr Young said running costs for the car parks were roughly £1million and funds accrued went back to the council’s revenues.

Cabinet member Mike Lilley whose portfolio includes car parking said: “We would urge people to use the contactless system or MiPermit where you can pay the exact amount and no more.

“There are also warning lights telling you if you are overpaying, nobody is being tricked.

“We don’t want anyone to overpay.

“MiPermit also lets you extend your stay if you are in town and bump into someone and want to stay longer.”