ParKing updates

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) has confirmed that its parking machines will be updated for the new coins in April, the month after circulation begins, to tie in with other system updates.

An ABC spokesman said: “The introduction of the 12-sided £1 coin is a national change of course and so this is something that has been expected and planned for.

“A minor modification is required to the machines that will then enable them to accept both the existing and soon-to-be introduced £1 coins.

“This change will be made in April, when the slight increase in parking fees takes effect, meaning both changes, which need to be made by the manufacturer, can be done at the same time.”

The council also confirmed that once the changes have been made, there will be a period of time where both styles of coins will be accepted, the length of which has not yet been specified.