First car parks to go cashless announced by council

Runnymede Borough Council owns 22 car parks and new machines will be going into Chertsey’s, Homewood Park, Gogmore Farm and Beomonds in Heriot Road

A Surrey Council has announced the first seven car parks that will go cashless when new card-only pay-and-display machines are installed.

Runnymede Borough Council owns 22 car parks and new machines will be introduced in Chertsey, at Homewood Park, Gogmore Farm and Beomonds in Heriot Road.

Four car parks across Egham and Englefield Green will also go cashless, at Pooley Green, Hummer Road, Victoria Street, and St Jude’s.

A spokesperson for Runnymede Borough Council said: “We’re upgrading the machines to provide more modern and convenient parking payment options for drivers."

The council has also said that ‘free’ car parks at Aviator Park, Addlestone, and at Coopers Hill will have new machines that require drivers to get a ticket.

It is understood that Coopers Hill has been left free to use due to its popularity with people using the Runnymede Air Forces Memorial.

The spokesperson added: "Cash payments will no longer be accepted, but drivers will still be able to pay using the RingGo app or by calling the RingGo phone line.

"This was in response to increasing vandalism, theft, and the rising costs associated with handling cash."

Drivers can also use pre-paid cards, and blue badge holders can still park for free in off-street parking bays.

The council has said the money it receives from drivers helps fund car park maintenance, including line painting and resurfacing.