Pledge for free ATMs on every UK high street
THE UK’s main ATM cash machine network, Link, has committed to providing free to use machines on every UK high street.
The machines will be paid for through funding from the UK’s main banks and building societies, who are among the members of Link - which is run by not-forprofit organisation Link Scheme Ltd.
It comes as it has announced that a new free-to-use ATM will be installed in Tywyn in Gwynedd as part of a new pilot.
In addition to Tywyn, over the coming months, and with the support of local MPs and councils, ATMs will be installed in Battle, East Sussex, Bungay in Suffolk, Hill Top in Nuneaton, and Durness in Scotland.
The locations will form a restricted trial that will run through 2020.
In Tywyn, Link said there was persuasive evidence of an unfulfilled need for cash access in the local economy.
In addition to the pilot scheme,
Link has also announced that funding will be made available to protect free access to cash for every high street in the UK.
It said that on high streets threatened with the loss of an ATM or Post Office, it will step in to ensure that an ATM is made available and paid for by banks and building societies.
In March, the independent Access to Cash Review said the UK is not ready to go cashless and set out a series of measures necessary to ensure no one is left behind as the UK moves towards an increasingly cashless society.
Link chief executive John Howells, said: “Link is determined to defend free access to cash across the UK in the face of very rapidly declining cash use. Today’s action will protect consumers whilst much needed industry reforms to move to a more sustainable utility infrastructure take place.”
Gareth Shaw, head of money at the consumer group Which?, said: “This long-overdue action on cash machines is hugely welcome - but these measures on their own are unlikely to be enough to stem the tide of ATM closures that has left communities across the UK struggling to access cash.
“The government’s new access to cash strategy group must urgently explore all options including legislation – to ensure a robust system is in place to preserve free access to cash for as long as people need it.”