Fund to help rural areas request free cash machines.

Operator launches scheme to tackle hole-in-wall access problems

Consumers and community groups will be able to request a free-to-use ATM in their area directly from operator Link due to the launch of a new fund.

The Community Access to Cash Delivery Fund will be made available for requests for free-to-use ATMs in places with poor access and is part of measures aimed at tackling concerns that it is becoming harder for people to take out cash.

Those within communities who want to apply could include individual consumers, councils, community groups or MPs.

If people want to suggest a site they can email info@link.co.uk.

If an application meets the criteria and there is a suitable location, Link will fund the new ATM directly.

There is £1 million in the pot so far, but more money could be released when needed. Applications will be looked at on a case-by-case basis, depending on factors such as distance to nearest free ATM, the availability of a nearby Post Office and site security.

If there is another free cash machine within 1km within the community and no particular geographical challenges to reaching it, applications may be unlikely to be successful.

Link said the move builds on its commitment to protect free access to cash for every high street in the UK.

In August, Link announced five new pilot sites in Battle, Bungay, Nuneaton, Tywyn in Wales, and Durness in Scotland, where a new ATM would be directly commissioned.

These new ATMs will be funded by a levy on Link’s bank and building society members.

More sites that will get a free ATM have already been identified and are in Deal, Ebbw Vale, Margate, Middleton, Wilmslow and York.

John Howells, Link chief executive said: “This is an important development which will allow communities to directly contact Link and get things done to help consumers.

“Link is looking forward to getting the first requests for ATMs so we can help solve access to any cash issues that people may have across the whole of the UK.”

ATM and bank branch closures have fuelled concerns about access to cash.

Recent research from Which? suggested that free-to-use cash machines are vanishing more quickly in deprived areas than in affluent ones.

Which? also found that around a third of the UK’s bank branches have shut within the past five years alone.

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Link is looking forward to getting the first requests for ATMs so we can help solve access to any cash issues that people may have. JOHN HOWELLS