Drivers in New Plymouth are lambasting authorities for issuing parking tickets despite the number of broken meters.

Of the 96 parking meters in New Plymouth's central business area, just 53 work properly. 8 are dead and the remaining 35 don't accept all forms of payment.

New Plymouth councillor Murray Chong says plenty of people attempt to use the meters and face a fine without having any other options.

"A lot of people drive and they can find a park near the shop they want to shop at on the same side of the road. So what happens is that they'd go to the meter, the meter doesn't work and the council's telling them to go across the road."

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