MOTORISTS willing to dip into their pockets to park in Inverclyde still run the risk of being fined — because new pay and display machines are broken.

Less than a week into Inverclyde Council’s high profile decriminalised parking enforcement scheme, drivers have been left puzzled after discovering ticket machines at the £1-a-day Waterfront car park in Greenock are out of order, pictured.

Many now fear they will be fined through no fault of their own for parking there.

One driver told the Tele she went to buy a £1 ticket but was greeted with ‘out of use’ signs on both machines.

The woman, who did not want to be named, contacted the council.

The motorist said: “Both machines are out of order and folk can’t pay to park. I was told it will take two weeks to fix and if folk get a fine they’ve to appeal it.

“If the council are going to put these new parking rules into action they have to be ready for it.” Meanwhile, around 50,000 new parking discs have been issued to the public to display in their vehicles when using free car parks in Greenock town centre.

Council bosses revealed the figure after being asked what provisions are in place for people who are visiting the town and unaware about the new restrictions.

A spokesman said: “Parking discs have been distributed to shops, libraries and council offices and we distributed them to Telegraph readers last month. If visitors look out for the parking disc stickers, they can pick up a parking disc from there.

“We’ve distributed nearly 50,000 over the past month and are likely to order more supplies soon because of the high demand.

“If parking attendants see a car without a disc and so long as it is not committing another parking offence, they will give a reasonable time for the driver to return to the car with a disc and if they don’t return that car is likely to receive a parking fine.

“The back of the parking disc sets out the offences which include failure to display a disc in the parking zone.

“As part of the first week’s promotion we are advertising the parking scheme — with information on the parking disc — with the Greenock Telegraph, in print and online, on YOUR Radio and with some other online local websites.

“The aim with that advertising is to target residents and visitors alike about the introduction of the new changes.” Motorists’ online debate THE new car parking regulations are the source of fierce debate on the Tele’s Facebook page. But while many people have complained over the rules, others are pleased they have been introduced.

Derek Bradley said: “Like anything new, people will take time to adjust to it and get used to it but I personally think it’s great that there are now spaces available for people to use and that cars aren’t abandoned all over the town.” Margaret Smith said: “I’m an ex-pat and all I can say is when I return to Greenock and the Port I marvel at the parking you have. Try living in England and paying fees here. No excuse for parking on road except laziness. When I’m here I always get parked in car park.” Scott Finlay wrote: “People in Greenock town centre have got away with murder with parking for years now since they got rid of traffic wardens. Most of these streets have had parking restrictions in place anyway, now these are being enforced everyone is up in arms.” Marcus Barry said: “The new system is great. Plenty of spaces available at last if you have bothered to get a disc. Visitors can park in the pay and display areas. Simple.” Charlie Gair wrote: “It’s just like anything else that is new to people, after a couple of weeks everyone will get used to it. Shops on West Blackhall and Cathcart streets now have a better chance of attracting customers as you can actually park close to their premises instead of having to drive past and go elsewhere.” You can join the debate at ww.facebook.com/greenocktelegraph Petition launched HUNDREDS of people have put their names to an online petition calling for an ‘immediate review’ of Greenock’s controversial new parking regime.

Fed-up residents flocked to register their demand on the change.org website within hours of the spontaneous campaign being launched.

Now organiser Jacqui McKay needs only a further 175 people to ‘sign up’ in order to trigger the automatic despatch of the petition to Inverclyde Council.

Large areas of the town centre are now empty of vehicles as a result of the parking scheme coming into force on Monday.

Jacqui said: “This new scheme has not been thought through properly.

“Residents and businesses are being affected.

“Inverclyde Council should be attracting people to shop, not drive them away.” The petition reached more than half of its target figure of 500 names on the day it went live on Wednesday.

The current total of supporters stands at over 300 at the time of going to press. On-street parking in Greenock is allowed free for maximum durations of 30 minutes, one hour or two hours depending on location. Motorists must obtain a cardboard clock disc, set it to the time they parked up and display it on their vehicles in order to avoid a £60 fixed penalty.

Several signatories of Jacqui’s petition have raised complaints about the clampdown.

One poster, Michelle Maxwell, branded it an ‘absolute disgrace’.

She said: “Residents of the area affected should have permits. I now do my shopping outwith Greenock.” Elaine Paton wrote: “I have to pay now to park outside my shop which I have owned for over 20 years.” Another person who signed the petition, Ashleigh Taylor, declared that the introduction of parking regulations was ‘such a silly thing to do’.

She posted: “I have disabilities and have to use crutches or a wheelchair, so it takes longer for me to do daily things — which means I wouldn’t be able to go shopping and be out within half-an-hour.”