Police were unable to provide traffic wardens to patrol a parking scheme because of recruitment problems and sickness.
The new on-street controlled parking zone for Crawley, launched on December 2, was designed to deter all-day commuter parking and make it easier for residents and their visitors to park.
However, when the scheme was introduced there were not enough wardens available to control it effectively as Sussex Police had not provided the four additional traffic wardens West Sussex County Council had contracted.
As a result, the council had to refund part of 750 residents permits.
Chief Inspector Kul Verma, of Crawley police, said: "There were some problems in the beginning but we are now confident we can deliver."
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