Rail station car parks set for payment changes

Paddock Wood is one of the stations affected by the switch to ANPR

The way people can pay to park their cars at 38 train stations across the Southeastern network is set to change.

From 19 August, payment must be made via the Apcoa app or over the phone.

Payments will no longer be possible at the station ticket office or using a ticket vending machine.

Southeastern said it was switching to an an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system operated by Apcoa which was "cost-effective, efficient and secure".

Southeastern passenger services director David Wornham said: “ANPR is a modern system that is widely used by train operators and across other business sectors.

"It is also the most cost-effective, efficient and secure way to manage our car parks and customers will be able to buy tickets in several ways both online, and by phone and will no longer need to display a ticket in their vehicle.”

A total of 45 car parks in Kent, East Sussex and Greater London across 38 stations will be affected.

Displays explaining the changes are currently being put up in relevant stations.

Displays advertising the changes are currently being put up at the affected stations

A new Apcoa taxi permit portal will also come into affect, where taxi drivers will be able to register and apply for a new annual permit.

An Apcoa spokesperson said: "ANPR is widely used in both the UK parking industry and across Europe and has been in operation for more than 15 years.

"It offers flexible payment options for customers as well as a simplified parking experience by automatically monitoring vehicles in all kinds of locations from hospitals to retail, leisure, airports and education.

“Should drivers have any queries, they can continue to use our national customer service centre which supports the ANPR system in exactly the same way".