‘Ringgo parking is ageist’ row sparks national debate

Cashless system divides opinion on Radio 2

Almost nine in 10 people believe all car parks should have an option to pay by cash, a poll has revealed.

The topic has sparked much debate since Canterbury City Council was branded “ageist” last week after it emerged visitors to an off-road stretch in Seasalter can only pay over the phone, or via an app.

Frustration from pensioners reached the national stage on Monday when the talking point - originally raised by an elderly group of sea swimmers - was discussed on BBC Radio 2.

Show host Jeremy Vine took on the topic following the intense reaction to our interview with swim group leader Sheila Miller in last week’s Gazette.

We asked readers via an online poll whether they believe all car parks should have a cash payment choice.

The results overwhelmingly supported the ‘yes’ option, with 87% of 2,800 people voting in favour.

Ringgo and a host of other parking apps are used by councils across the country, with motorists paying for their stays without using cash or cards at a parking machine.

Users can either pay via the app or by calling a number displayed on signs at the car park.

The rollout of the pay-via-mobile service has angered those who do not own a smartphone, or those wary of sharing bank details with an app.

While many share sympathy for elderly people unable to use the mobile technology, others say it is “imperative” pensioners get up to speed with smartphones and “stop living in the stone age”.

During the Radio 2 discussion, Mr Vine spoke to Mrs Miller and former Barnet councillor Brian Coleman, who was at the forefront of bringing in cashless parking 14 years ago.

Mrs Miller said: “You need to have a smartphone and that’s a real difficulty for some elderly people who choose not to have a smartphone.

“People are going to need their long-sighted glasses to see the sign, they’re going to need reading glasses to see their phone.

“Arthritic fingers in the cold might not be able to key in the number.”

Mrs Miller, who says you cannot always get phone signal at the car park, fears many of her swimming group will choose to avoid Seasalter due to the confusing parking payments.

In contrast, Mr Coleman called on the elderly to keep up with the times.

“Frankly, these older folk are driving a car which can be a very dangerous piece of machinery,” he said on the Radio 2 show.

“Surely they can operate an app on a mobile phone.”

Since the start of this month, other car parks in the district - including Toddlers Cove and Bishopstone Lane in Herne Bay - have been cashless.

Commenting on Facebook, Amber King said: “It’s completely unfair for people who just don’t understand any type of technology.”

But on the other side of the argument, Adrian Coleman wrote: “I’m a pensioner and use Ringgo, it’s brilliant”.

Last week, the council said motorists unable to pay via Ringgo can pre-pay by calling in advance from home.

But this has caused further confusion, as upon calling the number from a landline, users are told to enter their mobile number.

For those who do not have a mobile, it seems they can still type in a landline number and the pre-payment service works.

What do you think? Email kentishgazette@thekmgroup. co.uk.

It’s a real difficulty for elderly people who choose not to have a smartphone’

Those using the council’s car park in Seasalter now have to pay via the Ringgo app

Sheila Miller is frustrated by the new system