Extra! What the papers said...

Parking must remain accessible

Michael Gove’s letter of 4 April to local authorities

The removal of cash parking machines made it on to the front pages of national newspapers

Newspapers have expressed a concern that the spread of apponly parking means some towns are set to become digital deserts in which elderly and vulnerable people are unable to pay for parking. One factor that seems to be accelerating the withdrawal of payment machines is the transition to the 4G and 5G networks, reports The Times. It appears local authorities have decided not to spend money on new terminals and instead are opting to go completely cashless. The move could make parking payments challenging for elderly or vulnerable motorists who may not have a smartphone, or struggle to use apps if they do, argued The Times.

The retirement of 2G and 3G networks will allow 4G and 5G networks to get better coverage and a speed boost from the repurposing of the old spectrum. It is anticipated that this will provide a more reliable experience and super clear connection.

The Times reported that Brighton & Hove City Council will scrap all of its pay & display machines by the end of May, with the local authority saying changing machines to 4G would be costly. The newspaper said a number of London boroughs have or are removing machines, including Barking & Dagenham, Bromley, Enfield, Harrow, Merton and Richmond upon Thames.

The London Borough of Bromley removed all machines in April due to a potential bill of £1m to reconfigure them. Nicholas Bennet, Bromley’s executive councillor for transport, told The Times: “As a pensioner myself, I appreciate that some people have a problem with modern technology. However, we are talking about people who drive a ton and a half of steel, which requires more skill than downloading an app.”

A Daily Mail front page on 3 April stated: “Millions of drivers are stuck in parking app hell: More councils banish pay and display machines for hated cashless alternatives.”

The Daily Mail claims more than two million drivers will soon live in “parking meter deserts”. It cites pay & display being a thing of the past in parts of London, including Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster., Barking and Dagenham, Enfield and Bromley, as well as Brighton and Hove. It reports that Harrow is moving to a “cashlite” system by switching off most of its machines. A poll commissioned by the Mail found more than half of over-65s do not feel like using parking apps such as RingGo and PayByPhone. Four in ten respondents of all ages told Consumer Intelligence that they would be put off going to town centres that lacked parking meters.

Dear Leader Public Parking Provision

I write regarding public on and off-street parking provision, which is the responsibility of local authorities. There has been extensive recent coverage about the increased use by councils of digital apps and cashless payment for parking. Concerns have rightly been raised about the accessibility implications of these new technologies, in particular for the elderly and others with vulnerabilities.

As a government, we are committed to supporting local authorities to improve public services through innovation and digitisation. We recognise that making digital payments for parking via mobile phone apps or online can provide a more convenient, efficient, and secure way for the public to pay and can help local authorities reduce costs and raise standards. We also recognise that some local authorities have reported concerning levels of attempted fraud in relation to payment machines.

All local authorities, however, have existing statutory duties to ensure that they do not discriminate in their decision making against older people or those with vulnerabilities. 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.

I expect you to make sure that parking services for which you are responsible remain accessible. For example, it would not seem appropriate for parking on a high street to be solely available for those who have access to a mobile phone. Nor would it appear sensible for local authorities to phase out paper-based parking options such as ‘scratch cards’ if the only available replacement is an entirely digital option.

More generally, the government is determined to ensure that our town centres, high streets and public spaces are accessible to all. We are committed to improving the regulation of the private parking industry by implementing the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019. This includes the development of an independent code of practice for private parking companies in an attempt to raise the overall standards of the car parking industry. We are considering some elements of the code to ensure that it provides the best possible protection for motorists while giving parking companies the tools to crack down on motorists who park obstructively or dangerously, and we will continue to work with industry and consumer groups to ensure the code comes into effect as quickly as possible. The combination of this and your actions to maintain an accessible public parking system is important for protecting motorists and businesses for whom parking is so key.

Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities