Cashless parking rollout begins

Pay machines will be removed across all Slough car park sites over the coming months, as cashless parking implementation begins.

The cashless system aims to provide a more efficient method for residents and customers making payments to the council. It will also reduce the high transactional, maintenance and contract costs associated with the existing parking offer, which includes cash, card and pay by phone.

Cashless parking will be phased in, with machines in car parks and on the street being removed in the next three to four months, starting at the end of this month.

Advanced warning signs will be going up in each car park before the machines are removed.

Data for the last year shows only 3% of payments of payments in car parks and on street parking were made in cash, with 19% and 15% respectively, via card.

Without the machines, payment will be made via RingGo, using the app or via a phone number, using the car park code.

Those wishing to still use cash or card can go to the nearest PayPoint and pay using the car park code and their number plate as the reference.

Councillor Paul Kelly, lead member for planning, parking, highways and transport, said: “Many people have already been choosing to pay via RingGo in our car parks. Being able to pay quickly via the app, or by phone, will be more efficient and reliable, with no machine maintenance required, and the car parking enforcement officers will have access to the live data, which means their patrols can be more targeted.

“There is an alternative for those still wanting to pay using cash or card, with multiple PayPoints close by to the parking provision.”

The PayPoint terminals are in a variety of shops, generally within a five minute walk – you can check the nearest locations online. Drivers can also find the nearest PayPoint by texting Shop RingGo, followed by the five-digit location code, to 81025.

Drivers will need to give their vehicle registration, the RingGo location code where their vehicle is parked, and the time they wish to park for before the fee is calculated. The transaction would be digitally recorded, with no need for a physical ticket to display.

There will be a 20p convenience fee, added to the parking charge, for using RingGo.

This system also enables drivers to receive text messages when the parking time is expiring and allows them to extend this period remotely, without having to return to a pay machine. This reduces the risk of receiving a Penalty Charge Notice and promotes greater convenience and flexibility.

A consultation ran last year into the cashless parking proposal, with 12 responses received. Responses were concerned about those without cards or apps, and this is why the PayPoint option is available.

The changes will be monitored once implemented.  

These are the initial sites where machines are being removed from on 30 March: Albert Street, Bishops Road, High Street, Park Street, Sandringham Court, Waterside Drive, Windsor Road, Buckingham Gardens car park, Burnham Lane car park.