If parking payment machines are broken...

We like to concentrate on positive news here - but sometimes the news is a bit meh. We've just had two groups of visitors in our pod to report that neither of the RingGo payment machines at Nun's Close car park in Richmond is working. Well, hey ho, it happens, and they will no doubt be fixed soon. But if you face this problem in a public car park, here's the advice:

1. Look for another, working machine in the same car park. If there is one, you should use it.

2. Check for alternative payment methods, such as a phone number to call. If an option is available, you should use it.

3. Document the situation: take photos of the broken terminals as evidence. This can be useful if you need to contest a fine later.

4. Look for signs: Some car parks may have signs stating that you should not park if the payment machines are out of order.

​And finally, if you are offered the possibility of paying through a QR code (see photo above), be very careful that it is legitimate and not simply stuck there by an opportunist villain hoping to scam you out of your money.

Enough doom and gloom! You're going to have a wonderful and problem-free visit to Richmond. If you use a smartphone and don't already have the RingGo app, we suggest you download it (free) before you visit. It does actually make life a bit easier - for example, you can pay the parking charge from the seat of your car, without having to hunt for a terminal or stand in a queue.

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