Prompted by the above:
We've got roadworks on a bridge that should have finished in June. Current speculation is whether they'll be done before bonfire night, when the town needs all the road space it can get.
Meanwhile, I've swapped to paying by card in ticket machines after one took my money, gave change, but no ticket a couple of weeks back. I had to speak to 4 people to get a form for a refund, and 10 days after posting it I've got a letter saying that it will be processed within 10 days. By paying by card, now if I don't get a ticket I will at least have evidence that I paid something.