Council rethinks 'phone only' payment at car park

The 150-space car park was opened in June

A council is to install a card payment machine in a new car park in Ashby-de-la-Zouch following complaints.

The 150-space Money Hill Car Park was opened by North West Leicestershire District Council in June.

Users are currently required to pay for their stays with an app but concerns were raised the system excluded people without smartphones from parking there.

The authority said it had listened to feedback and would introduce a card payment option within six to eight weeks.

The council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) it had received any reports of users being unable to pay for parking at Money Hill since it opened.

It said the pay-by-phone-only approach "removes the cost of repairing and maintaining parking machines".

However, it said it had still decided to install a new ticket machine to allow for card payments.

Deputy council leader and lead member for communities, Michael Wyatt, said: "In the first few weeks since opening the Money Hill Car Park, we've listened carefully to feedback from our customers.

"While many have found the pay-by-phone system easy and efficient, we understand that offering more choice can make the experience even better for everyone.

"This reflects our commitment to continually improve our services and make parking as accessible and user-friendly as possible."