New ticket machines are now being installed at council-owned pay and display car parks over the next month, Powys County Council has announced.

Some 55 new pay and display machines will replace the current machines, which are old and in a poor condition and also do not take the new £1 coin. The first machines have already been installed in Back Lane car park in Newtown.

The new machines will accept the new £1 coins and the old £1 coins, which go out of circulation in October.

Cllr Liam Fitzpatrick, Cabinet Member for Highways, said, “It is great to hear that new ticket machines are being installed in our pay and display car parks.

“The new machines will accept the old £1 coin until they lose their legal tender status in October. Our parking officers will be able to update the new machines from October 15 so they don’t accept the old £1 coin.

“I’d like to remind those who use our pay and display car parks to buy the right ticket for the time they are parked there.”