A GLUE-DUNNIT is underway after mischief-makers prevented motorists from paying to park in Dedham.
The village vandalism struck after controversial parking charges were introduced at Duck Pond and Mill Lane car parks.
The perpetrator has used glue to block the coin slots on the parking meters installed at the car parks.
Iain Wicks, development manager for the Essex Federation of Small Businesses, said: “They have done a right job on them by the looks of it.“Clearly we wouldn’t condone that sort of behaviour, however it does represent a feeling around the charges being introduced.”
The charges came into force on April 1 but the vandalism occurred after the Easter bank holiday weekend when Dedham was packed with visitors.
Businesses have each been given two free season tickets under the new parking arrangements.
Visitors have to pay up to £4 a day to use the car parks.
Parking for up to an hour is free but it costs £1 for up to two hours and £2 for up to four hours.
Profits from the car parks are to be split between Colchester and Dedham councils with cash spent on improving the car parks.
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