Move to cashless parking risks locking people out of city, say critics

Eldon Square multi-story car park will adopt the payment changes on Tuesday

Cash payments are to be removed from Newcastle's council-run car parks, despite concerns the move could leave low-income families and elderly people "locked out" of the city centre.

Eldon Square will be first location to adopt the measure, on Tuesday, followed by Eldon Gardens on 17 October.

Drivers will have to pay using either a bank card or the PayByPhone app.

The council said it would make parking "more efficient" and that help would be provided for anyone who needs it.

The move has sparked concerns about a "disproportionate impact" on disabled people, older people and anyone with no, or little, access to the internet.

Low-income households also typically rely more heavily on cash.

'Safety concerns'

Tracey Mitchell, an Independent councillor who represents the Denton and Westerhope ward, brought a motion at last week's city council meeting which called for a cash option to be retained.

The motion alleged the council had shown a "disinterest" in customers' needs: "Car park users choosing to use cash should still have the option to do so, and failure to provide this option threatens to lock older drivers and low-income households out of the city centre."

The motion was voted down by the city's ruling Labour group and was not subject to a debate after the meeting ran out of time, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Lemington ward councillor Jason Smith likened the move to proposals to close railway ticket offices.

He said the changes could prompt safety concerns for drivers who do not want their whereabouts tracked through card payments or apps, such as victims of domestic abuse.

Mr Smith added people could be subjected to a "stealth tax" if they were obliged to pay with a pre-paid debit card that charges fees to top up.

The council said the change would "help to make the city's parking service more efficient and cost-effective, while also better meeting the needs of customers".

A drop-in advice session will be held at the City Library on 23 October, and parking staff are also set to be on hand to provide assistance during the first few days of the changes.

Councillor Jane Byrne, cabinet member for transport, said the authority had received "very useful feedback" from organisations such as Newcastle Disability Forum and the Elders' Council following a consultation earlier this year.