Council urged to ‘get into the 21st Century’ in parking meters row

A Dundee councillor has called on the city council to “get into the 21st Century” after it emerged that many of its recently installed parking meters are not capable of taking credit card payments.

The issue has come to light following complaints to Liberal Democrat councillor Fraser Macpherson from motorists trying to park in the council car park nearest to the V&A and in the West End.

All of the new parking meters in West End car parks where the council has recently introduced charges are cashonly.

Mr Macpherson, whose constituency covers the West End, said he was astonished.

“When we were discussing the new parking meters in the West End, there was never any explicit promise from the council that they’d be able to take card payments,” he said.

“But I assumed that this would be a given, because we live in 2020 and not 1975.

“It is rather bizarre that in 2020 the council has installed allegedly new parking meters that are so out of date.

“I am seeking assurances that card payment machines will be installed in future and I would want to know when.”

SNP councillor Mark Flynn, deputy convener of the city development committee, said: “In car parks where the first two hours are free many users will simply not pay at all and cash-only meters like this have been installed in those car parks, which also have a simple charging structure of £1 for two to four hours and £2 for four to eight hours.

“Where it is appropriate and cost-effective to do so the council provides alternative payment methods, including card payment facilities.”

Picture: Mhairi Edwards. Many of the new meters are cash only.