Pay and display parking to go on two Winchester streets (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Pay and display parking to go on two Winchester streets

11:10am Sunday 19th February 2012 in News By Emma Streatfield

SEVERAL of Winchester’s on-street parking payment machines are costing more to run than they earn, the city council has revealed.

The three pay and display machines look set to go after civic chiefs approved moves to replace them with a 'payment by phone' system.

The machines are two in Wales Street and one in Water Lane.

A council report stated between April and December last year only £260 was collected, whereas collection costs amounted to £348.

The council will save money on the cost of collection, servicing, electricity and future replacement of the machines, the report said.

Cllr Kelsie Learney, Liberal Democrat leader, said many people did not have mobile phones and Cllr Keith Wood also raised concerns that some elderly people might struggle with the system. Cllr Victoria Weston responded it was only those three that were being changed.

The meeting heard there was no intention to extend the scheme to other areas, though it is already offered alongside other payment methods in many council car parks.

The changes were outlined as part of cabinet members’ discussion of the car parks major works programme, which was approved. This will now go to full council on February 23.