People are angry they must now download an app to pay for parking – in an area with “barely any” phone signal.

Motorists were shocked last week when arriving at Royden Country Park to find it was no longer accepting cash, and some were forced to walk their dogs elsewhere because they had not brought their phone or bank card with them.

The move has angered people even more due to the recent introduction of charges at country parks around Wirral – where parking was previously free.

Responding to the concerns, the council said the move was only temporary due to recent vandalism to the machines at the park in Frankby, however a local councillor has called for the charges to be scrapped altogether.

On Monday, ward member for Greasby, Frankby and Irby, Cllr Tom Anderson, said: “Our country parks are among the most popular attractions in the borough but Labour’s parking charges are discouraging people from visiting. We now find that, among those who are prepared to pay, the Town Hall has made it even more difficult by not letting people pay with cash.

“Not everyone who visits our parks has a smartphone and, in some parts, the reception is patchy at the best of times. Labour has made our country parks available only to the few, not the many. We should scrap these charges altogether and make them free for everyone to visit and enjoy.”

Responding to the concerns, a council spokeswoman said: “Following repeated vandalism to the payment machines at Royden Country Park, payment by phone is currently the only available method. As a matter of urgency, technicians are attempting to repair the machines to accommodate those who wish to pay in cash.”

She added that enforcement officers are handing out information to the public when they visit the parks – and people can still pay with coins or card at Wirral’s other country parks.

She added: “Details on using the JustPark app can be found on the machines and on the council’s website here.”

Parking charges at Royden in Frankby were introduced last year, as well as Wirral Country Park in Thurstaston, Arrowe Country Park and Eastham Country Park, despite a 16,000-strong petition calling for plans to be scrapped.

They have been a constant source of debate and discussion among elected members since being introduced – also coming into sharp focus when the local authority considered introducing charges at coastal car parks – proposals which were eventually scrapped.