A LOSS-making parking scheme set to be scrapped has been given a top award.
Parkwise, the arrangement between Lancashire County Council and the county's district councils, has been honoured at the British Parking Awards.
Its customer inquiries staff, based in Preston, scooped the back office team of the year 2008' prize. In January, the Lancashire Telegraph revealed Parkwise was to be scrapped when its contract expires in 2009 because it is expected to end up almost £1million in the red.
And motorists have previously complained about over-zealous wardens.
Parking ticket expert Neil Herron said: "Is this the back office team that has lost £1million? The whole thing has been a shambles, from start to finish. Everything has lurched from crisis to crisis." Judges said they had been impressed by the 19-strong team's commitment to customer service, handling of appeals and efficient processing of payments.
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