Anger at council plan to axe cash
Bucks: Authority moving to digital parking payments
A plan to replace cash parking machines across Buckinghamshire with digital alternatives has been criticised for its ‘disastrous’ impact on older people.
Buckinghamshire Council’s new Parking Strategy includes a phasing out of cash machines and adoption of digital payment systems, which the council says reflects changing trends in preferences.
However, campaigners have raised concerns that the move disproportionally affects older people and could turn them away from high streets and town centres.
One of the threatened cash machines is located in Jennery Lane, Burnham, which resident Mary Winter, 74, uses when she shops at the adjacent Tesco store.
Mary said: “Not everyone has mobile phones with internet access, I do have such a phone but I find it far to complicated to follow the procedure and am unable to pay for my parking space unless either of my daughters are with me.
“I have friends that don't have smartphones and wouldn't be able to pay, so what do they do? don't pay, park illegally and get fines which all comes out of my pension, leading me to become isolated and not being able to go wherever I want.”
Alan Barnard, 77, chair of Buckinghamshire Older
People Action Group – a campaign organisation for older people in the community – and Marlow Bottom-based Valley
Plus, said: “It sounds horrendous.
“I think most older people are reluctant to use electronic means.”
Valley Plus supports 150 members over the age of 50. Many are in their 70s and 80s, with some in their 90s.
In addition to advocating on issues important to its members, the group also puts on lunches and day trips.
When payment is required for these activities, Alan said there can be difficulties with those who struggle to pay through online bank transfer.
This could be because they do not know how or because they do not own a computer.
Alan also said he is wary of the risk electronic payment could be susceptible to fraud, having worked for a manufacturer of airport bag scanners.
He added: “Everybody wants you to do everything on your phone and electronically.
“Trying to get the message across that some older people don’t even have a computer [has been difficult] - I think we have about six members who don’t have a computer and don’t use email.
“There’s probably going to be less and less as time goes by, but I do think it’s everybody’s duty to look after
these people because they are the vulnerable ones.”
Age UK, a national charity which campaigns for elderly people, has also spoken out over the loss of cash parking machines.
“The news that we may soon see the end of pay and display parking is disastrous for anyone without a smartphone, including millions of older people who are struggling with the shift away from the coin-in-the-slot payment methods they used throughout their lives,” a spokesperson said.
In its Parking Strategy, the council advises a transition to card and digital payments would ‘reflect emerging societal trends’ and ensure the ‘financial sustainability of our parking service.’
It says 79 per cent of customers who used cash preCOVID now use digital methods.
Steven Broadbent, cabinet Member for Transport said: “We appreciate that not everyone wants to pay in this way and so where possible, cash payment machines are being kept alongside the newer machines for as long as possible – this includes utilising existing machines and spare parts from removed cash machines across different car parks to give as much access as possible.
“Additionally, it should be noted, anyone with a valid Blue Badge is able to park free of charge within all council car parks.”