Making the case for cash in a digital world

Councils have been told by the government that they must not force drivers to use phones to pay for parking, reports Mark Moran

Parking payment machines are being completely removed by some High Streets in favour of cashless options such as mobile phone apps. Theft, vandalism, maintenance cost and the end of 3G services that connect pay & display machines with the back office are being cited by some councils as the reason for the removal of machines. However, there have been concerns that the disappearance of cash will create “parking meter deserts”.

Such an anxiety was expressed by Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association, who said: “Successful towns and high streets have accessible high streets and this involves easy-to-use car parking. I am appalled that many councils are introducing car parking apps instead of meters because these apps are a barrier to many car drivers.”

The concerns of elderly people were shared by Age UK’s charity director Caroline Abrahams CBE: “The news that we may soon see the end of pay & display parking is disastrous for anyone without a smartphone, including millions of older people.”

Such concerns and negative newspaper headlines in The Times and Daily Mail prompted a letter to local authorities from levelling up secretary Michael Gove. In a letter sent to every local authority in England on 4 April, Gove said it would not be appropriate for high street parking to be “solely available for those who have access to a mobile phone”.

The cabinet minister said councils should also not replace paper-based parking options such as scratch cards if the only available replacement is entirely digital. Gove wrote: “Cash remains legal tender and it will continue to be used in our daily lives by people who favour its accessibility and ease. I am therefore concerned that local authorities should ensure that there are alternative provisions for parking payments available so that no part of society is digitally excluded. This is of course important for many areas in preserving the accessibility of our high streets and town centres for all the public.”

Political dialogue

The issue of cashless parking was addressed in correspondence between the ministers and Clive Betts MP, Labour chairman of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee.

Levelling up minister Dehenna Davison and transport minister

Richard Holden wrote to the committee on 21 April. They reiterated Michael Gove’s point that no part of society is to be digitally excluded. The ministers wrote: “It is the responsibility for all parking operators, including local authorities, to design and operate parking systems which best meet the needs of all their customers.”

The ministers then set out the work that has been done to develop the National Parking Platform (NPP), a system that will allow motorists to use the app of their choice when parking. The government has been backing a pilot of the NPP in Manchester.

“First and foremost, the pilot has demonstrated that a digital parking service can be delivered,” the ministers wrote. “The government is currently considering the governance and funding models which could facilitate the wider roll-out of the NPP.”

Following the ministers’ joint letter Betts said: “It’s important that all parking operators, including local councils, enable the needs of all customers are met and that people can pay for their parking in a convenient way. I look forward to further updates from Ministers on how they intend to facilitate the wider roll-out of the National Parking Platform and ensure that there are suitable provisions for people to make parking payments to ensure no-one is digitally excluded.”

The parking sector’s view

The Local Government Association (LGA) defended the digitisation of parking as a mark of progress. An LGA spokesman said: “In line with customer trends a number of councils have taken the decision to innovate and digitise a number of their parking services, including moving to cashless payments and removing parking meters when other more efficient and secure ways can be taken to make payments.”

Speaking for the parking sector, the British Parking Association pointed to research that shows the majority of people prefer paying for parking using cash, but that some people appreciate the convenience of using apps as a payment mechanism that enables them to keep track of and manage their parking time.

Dave Smith, the BPA’s head of communication and marketing, said: “The BPA advocates that parking operators offer a range of payment options, including cash, but this may not be a viable option in all circumstances. Motorists should feel confident that they can pay for parking with either cash, card or phone wherever they choose to park. Any issues need to be identified quickly and enforcement should not take place if the system is not working.”