NEW electronic signs showing which St Albans city centre car parks have spaces available broke down on Friday, frustrating drivers and causing extra congestion.

Four signs installed by the county council in June in London Road, Holywell Hill, St Peter's Street and Verulam Road stopped working and are still not fully operational.

Peter Wares, a St Albans cyclist and environmental campaigner, told the Review: “It caused unwanted congestion and frustration as drivers drove round searching for empty parking spaces.

“The London Road car park became full early on Saturday morning, which resulted in traffic building up on London Road and at the Peahen junction.

"Parking spaces have always been at a premium on market days, but a lack of parking information prior to Christmas will simply drive people away from shopping in St Albans.”

The Review has asked Hertfordshire County Council to comment.