New ticket machine in Wrexham country park vandalised overnight

A newly installed ticket machine in one of Wrexham’s country parks has been vandalised overnight in what appears to be an attempt to steal the money held in the machine.

The pay and display machine, which is located on the Gwersyllt side of Alyn Waters, had been installed in May as part of a new £1 parking tariff introduced for visitors.

Similar machines have also been installed at the Llay side of Alyn Waters, Ty Mawr Country Park and Nant Mill as part of Wrexham Council’s ‘Difficult Decisions’ budget process at the tail end of last year.

It is estimated that introducing parking charges for blue badge holders could generate £25k and fees in country parks could generate and additional £47k.

However police say the Alyn Waters machine had been damaged by vandals overnight – with a sign asking visitors to instead use the ticket machine by the visitor centre.

This morning we asked Wrexham Council when the machine was vandalised, how long it will take to repair and if possible how much, if anything, was stolen from the machine.

A spokesman for Wrexham Council said: “We can confirm we have brought the matter to the attention of North Wales Police, who are investigating.”

The new pay and display machines were introduced in town centre car parks in December 2016, at with Cllr Bithell saying at the time the new machines were due to be more secure, and vandalism of the old machines had cost Wrexham Council substantial lost revenues.

Anyone with any information about the incident is advised to contact North Wales Police on 101 quoting reference number W082796.

Pictures – NWP Wrexham Rural