PENDLE’S disc parking scheme could be scrapped after traders labelled the current system ‘confusing’.

A trial scheme will see pay-and-display machines, which dispense free tickets, installed at a Nelson town centre car park.

The ticket, which will show the arrival time of the vehicle, will then be displayed on the dashboard instead of the current disc system.

Sandra Farnell, from Pendle Council’s highways department, said: “Feedback from some Nelson town centre traders is that the current disc parking system is confusing and it is not always easy to obtain a parking disc.

“Trials have been carried out with disc dispensers on the Palace car park in Nelson and Dockray Street car park in Colne.

“Although successful to a certain extent, these dispensers have been prone to vandalism.

“Traders would be keen to see a system introduced which would make it easier, especially for visitors from out of town, to park free and without the risk of receiving a penalty charge notice.”

Parking professionals Metric will install either a solar-powered or mains machine on the Palace car park or the Nelson town centre car park.

Funding for the machine will cost around £3,000, and the Nelson Town Team decided not to fund it through the High Street Innovation Fund, so councillors on the Nelson Area Committee will be asked to use some of their capital budget instead.