Residents have been left confused and angered over a lack of clarity on how to pay for parking at the County Ground.

The stadium was recently bought by the club and the fans, via TrustSTFC, with the car park also transferred from the council's ownership.

Since the purchase, completed in late March, parking ticket machines have been removed and users have been left frustrated and confused.

Swindon Advertiser: The County Ground was recently bought from the council in a joint venture between the club and the fans.The County Ground was recently bought from the council in a joint venture between the club and the fans. (Image: Newsquest)

One driver who wished to remain anonymous spoke to the Adver about the problems faced since the ownership changed hands.

“A couple of weeks ago all ticket machines were removed from car park with a notice on the sign to apologize for the inconvenience but there are no details as to how to pay for the car park use,” he said.

“I rang [the] council who said it needs to be paid via an app but no details of this and I don't have roaming internet and some people have no internet at all.

“I was stood in the rain not knowing how to pay for parking.”

Swindon Advertiser: The carpark sits adjacent to the County Ground stadium in Swindon.The carpark sits adjacent to the County Ground stadium in Swindon. (Image: Dave Cox)

The Adver asked the League Two club about these parking concerns.

Swindon Town CEO Rob Angus said: “The car park outside the County Ground is now under the full control of the football club following the purchase of our stadium.

“We are currently in the process of installing new signage and ways to pay for those looking to use the car park on non-match days, and all this will be in place shortly.

“We’re working closely with local firm and leading UK car park provider MI Permit - one of our main club sponsors – to ensure the facility is up and running efficiently over the coming weeks, with their parking app already set up.”

Swindon Advertiser: A notice apologising for any inconvenience caused has been added to the carpark sign.A notice apologising for any inconvenience caused has been added to the carpark sign. (Image: Newsquest)

In the aftermath, many residents have asked about what is to happen to the area in the meantime and how the parking system will work.

Responding to these queries, Mr Angus advised that between now and when the new system is in place, a charge to use the car park will remain.

He also added that those wishing to use it will need to contact the club in the interim, but did not elaborate on how to do this, or what the charges would be.