PEOPLE fined £80 for putting their vehicle in Newerne Street car park in Lydney when ticket machines were not working, should have the fees refunded, says a local councillor.

And, on another issue with the troubled council-run facility, Cllr Alan Preest believes a couple of barriers placed strategically would solve the long-running saga of misbehaviour by car drivers there.

Cllr Preest is formally raising the question of the fines which were dished out to motorists there at today’s (Thursday) full meeting of the Forest of Dean District Council.

He said a council ‘Operative’ was slapping the fines on cars without valid parking tickets even though the ticket payment machine was not working at the time.

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK’S FORESTER