PERSISTENT complaints over the new Windermere ferry ticketing system have prompted Cumbria County Council to introduce new measures allowing people to pay in cash as they board.

Staff will also be present at the machines to help people use the new system, as well as to operate the machines completely on customers' behalf.

These changes come shortly after the council agreed to upgrade the software on the machines to increase their speed and ease of use.

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A spokesperson for Cumbria County Council said new measures would include: "Difficulties with the technology and the introduction of this new procedure at such a busy time of the year have led to some challenges and we are grateful for the feedback received," they said. "In hindsight, phasing the introduction of this new method of payment and doing so at a quieter time of year, when challenges could be ironed out more easily, would have been preferable.

"In addition to feedback which highlights the challenges of this new system, we have also received positive feedback on the new payment method. Our aim therefore is to retain the positive aspects of the new system, whilst at the same time addressing the concerns that have been raised. This week we have introduced a number of measures designed to do this."

Opposition to the shore-based ticketing system has been outspoken since their introduction in June, due to reduced crossings and delays.

The machines are seen as overly complicated with customers having to navigate multiple menus with little instruction to simply purchase one ticket.

Windermere councillor Ben Berry suggested that the new machines should be dumped in the lake as they have caused misery and annoyance to thousands of residents and visitors.

Cllr Berry also said that the use of staff members to help people use the machines wasn't an adequate solution.

"This is classic Cumbria County Council," he said. "They hoped this failed digitisation exercise would make things easier and save wages but the opposite has happened with using the service now more complicated and with an increased cost to taxpayers.

"If the leadership of the council had any business sense, or common sense, we would have a customer focused solution that maximised the enjoyable use of this valuable highway crossing, instead we see politicians ducking and sticking their heads in the sand. These ticket machines should be thrown in the lake and users should receive an apology for this complete mess."

The measures outlined by the council will be in place for the rest of the summer season and will be under review later in the year, said a county council spokesperson.