Parking sensors on way to CBD

Leaving your car in a loading zone or overstaying your parking time limit is about to get more risky.

Parking sensors are being installed throughout the central city before Hamilton City Council rolls out its free parking plan, under which there’s no charge for the first two hours.

The plan comes into effect on October 1 but council contractors have 1345 smart sensors to install before then.

The sensors are destined for onstreet parking bays, including bus stops, loading zones, disability parks and taxi stands, council said.

Contractors are installing the sensors in four stages between July 18 and August 15, but it is weather dependent.

Much of the work will be done at night to avoid affecting traffic, but council will take residents, accommodation providers and CBD business needs into account.

‘‘The nature of this work means some noise and traffic effects are unavoidable but there will be no road closures,’’ a council statement said.

‘‘Our work programme has been designed to minimise disruption as much as possible.’’

Parking came up as an issue when Hamiltonians were asked about the central city – especially cost, convenience and complexity of parking.

Council’s first free parking plan didn’t fly because residents didn’t want to pay a targeted rate for it, and didn’t like the two-hour-a-day limit for street parking.

In June, council approved a tweaked version, which retained a targeted rate for CBD businesses but meant residents didn’t have to pay.

It also took off the two-hour limit – but subsequent hours will cost $6 each.

Council has previously said it expects to lose about $750,000 in revenue during the nine-month trial.

A smartphone app which allows drivers to pay for their parking is due to be introduced later in 2017.