Drivers unable to use a new phone-based parking payment system are being ripped off, it is claimed.

The RingGo system, which requires a credit or debit card, has been rolled out across Redbridge.

But cafe owner Rob Federico was left high and dry when he ventured out without his bank cards and tried to use a broken machine under South Woodford Library last Tuesday.

The 32-year-old, of Cadogan Gardens, said: "It took my money but didn’t give me a ticket, so it clearly wasn’t working.

"I called this number for RingGo on the machine and told them what had happened.

"They said I would have to write to them if I wanted my money back and pay them via credit card over the phone."

"When I told them I didn't have my cards, they just said ‘Well you will have to go and park at a supermarket or something’

"I couldn’t believe it. Their machine is not working. It has taken my money and now they are telling me to write to them if I want a refund and to move my car somewhere else. It’s like blackmail."

The RingGo system was introduced in all council car parks in 2009 but was rolled out across the borough on April 8.

Drivers are told they must use it if a machine is not working.

But this has been heavily criticised by a councillor.

Richard Hoskins of Church End Ward said: "If people don’t have a credit card or a mobile phone they shouldn’t be punished because the council’s machine is broken.

"Increasingly I hear of machines that are out of order for days or even weeks at a time and people are being caught and fined because they can’t use RingGo or don’t know they have to.
"It’s a rip-off."

Mr Federico, who owns the Little Woodford Café in George Lane, eventually admitted defeat, parking his car at Waitrose while his wife attended her appointment at the health centre

He said: "I don’t have the time to write to the council to get my £2.60 back and I imagine there are plenty of others in the same situation.

"Even worse there are lots of people who will think ‘I have put my money in, the machine is not working. It’s not my fault’ and go about their business.

"I want to warn them about this RingGo system because I think a lot of people are going to get stung by it.

"To me it looks like a big money making scheme."

Redbridge Council has been asked to comment.