Free parking to end as UK council moves to cashless payments to drum up 'vital revenue'

The proposal would mean that 90 per cent of spaces in short-stay car parks will lose the current 30-minute free parking measure, although 10 per cent of spaces will remain free.

The change hopes to ensure turnover and easy access for more drivers making short trips to local shops, for example.

Meanwhile, short-stay parking will begin charging from 70p for the first hour with other rates applying to long stays, the train station and Park and Ride car parks.

In long-stay parking spaces, season tickets will be introduced so that local traders, businesses and workers are able to pay for parking in advance.

However, Blue Badge holders will still be able to park for free in designated disabled bays for up to four hours in both short and long-stay car parks.

Other changes include the move to cashless payments using the paperless pay and stay machines on site, using a debit or credit card, contactless, or using the MiPermit app.

Users will also be able to pay without the need for a smartphone as MiPermit allows payments to be made by phone call or text message.

The switch to cashless comes as the council looks to save around £40,000 a year on the operating costs associated with cash handling and management systems for the car parks.

The new changes are expected to raise annual income of more than £800,000 for the council which it states is “essential in reducing the pressure to reduce funding”.

Charges will apply between 8am and 6pm, Mondays to Saturdays, with parking remaining free on Sundays and Bank Holidays, excluding the Park and Ride and train station car parks.

Councillor Sean Rhodes said: “Having listened carefully to the feedback from local residents and businesses about how car park charging can work, we believe this scheme responds positively to the questions people raised about how we will put it into practice.

“We have always said that an element of free parking would remain, and we will keep ten per cent of short-stay spaces free for those short trips we all make.

"At only 70p for the first hour for longer stays, we strongly believe this will not be a barrier to people getting out and about to visit local shops and other businesses, with parking charges in some neighbouring areas more than three times higher.”

The council noted that it wants to be clear that it would not charge people to park when they visit their GP, for example.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Drivers see 'dramatic' petrol and diesel price drop but fuel duty hike could spell disaster for Britons
• Britons issued urgent car theft warning as offenders steal £2million worth of vehicles with 'Gameboy'
• Drivers could see clean air restrictions removed after success of lower speed limits and cycle-only areas

The validation system will keep parking free for important trips like doctor appointments, although not all council-owned car parks will have charging introduced with some Park & Ride facilities remaining the same.

Rhodes added: “We know that many residents did not want to have to pay car park charges locally. However, the financial situation faced by the council, and the assumptions built into the previous budget by the previous administration, mean that we have had to take this decision.

“We are all used to paying for parking when we drive almost anywhere outside of South Gloucestershire, but I am pleased that we will be able to set charges as low as possible, while still generating important revenue for the council, which will allow us to protect other vital services.”