Council’s car parks to go cashless this year
A BIG change is on the way for parking in the Cotswolds.
Cotswold District Council has begun a phased removal of the pay-by-cash option in all of its car parks.
It said the decision was made in order to protect the environment and reduce crime.
A four-phase approach has been agreed and cash will be removed from all car parks across the district by the end of 2021.
Councillor Mike Evemy, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for parking, explained the reasons behind the decision were to decrease the council’s carbon footprint and to reduce the risk of vandalism and theft from parking machines.
He said: “We are removing cash payments from our car parks to reduce our environmental impact
– our team drives 20,000 miles around the district every year to collect cash from our car parks.
“We also want to eliminate theft and vandalism of the machines that has cost over £100k in the last four years as well as inconveniencing car park users. I would like to reassure our residents and visitors that the pay-anddisplay machines will remain and will continue to accept card and contactless payments.
“Car park users will also be able to use our new and improved payment system, Paybyphone, which is used across the country and allows people to pay for parking by using the app or making a quick phone call.” Phase one of the project begins on March 1 with car parks that have repeatedly experienced theft and vandalism in Bourton-on-the-water, Stowon-the-wold and Cirencester. Additional signs will be installed in each car park ahead of the change.