Nuneaton and Bedworth will soon undergo significant changes to their council-run car parks. Starting on March 24, the local authorities will remove cash-paying machines across both towns, transitioning to a more modern, contactless system.
The move, which aims to improve user experience and streamline payment processes, will impact all drivers who use these facilities.
Key Changes to Parking Payment Systems
From March 24, council-run car parks in Nuneaton and Bedworth will begin replacing the traditional cash machines with new touch-screen, contactless payment systems.
According to a spokesperson from the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, the new machines will only accept card payments, including debit cards and Apple Pay, which will offer a quicker, more convenient way for users to pay for parking.
This overhaul comes as part of a broader initiative to modernise the parking system in the two towns, which will also see changes to the pricing structure. Although the free parking after 6 p.m. remains, some of the current tariffs will be scrapped.
Notably, the £1.50 for three hours parking will no longer be available, with a new pricing structure to be implemented starting April 1. This transition is part of the council’s ongoing efforts to keep pace with modern technology and address growing demand for contactless payments.
The council has confirmed that no one will be charged differently depending on the machine used to make the payment, as the new charges will only be applied after the new machines are installed on or after April 1. In the meantime, drivers using the older machines before the end of the month will still pay the current rates.
New Automatic Number Plate Recognition System at Ropewalk
Another significant change is happening at the Ropewalk car park, which will adopt an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system. This cutting-edge technology is expected to improve the efficiency and accuracy of parking enforcement.
According to the council, the introduction of the ANPR system is designed to address ongoing issues related to the current concessionary use deal with Pure Gym, a nearby facility.
The ANPR system will allow for a more streamlined process where vehicles are automatically recognised as they enter and exit the car park.
This will eliminate the need for manual ticketing, reducing the chances of errors and speeding up the overall parking experience for users. Therefore, it is anticipated that the new approach will improve ease for frequent park visitors while more successfully guaranteeing adherence to parking laws.
