From Monday, December 16, drivers using Council-run car parks in Sleaford will be able to pay to park through their mobile phone.
These new options of using a smartphone app, messaging or voice call have been advanced for the eight car parks locations in response to intermittent but recurring difficulties in making card payment. They sit alongside continued cash and card payment options.
The APCOA Connect app can be downloaded onto phones now in readiness, from a trusted source like the App Store or Google Play.
With easy-to-use step by step guidance posted on the parking machines, low-cost parking can be sorted within seconds. A further benefit is that extended stays can be easily managed through the app too, meaning that there’s no need to be dragged away from a café, bar, shop or salon, or to rush about if you get delayed or want to enjoy your leisure for longer.
Payment can also be arranged via a call or SMS messaging to the numbers provided or APCOA Connect’s website.
There will be no transaction fees or additional charges passed on to customers choosing to use the app, as is generally the case.
Cllr Mark Smith whose District Council Executive Board oversight includes car parks, said that introduction of the app and phone payment options brought parking provision in Sleaford in line with standards already enjoyed by shoppers, visitors and residents in most other places.
“We recognise and thank everybody for their patience and perseverance during the inconvenience and frustrations caused by faults and connection failures with our current machines, but by bringing forward these new modern and familiar payment options we are sure that we are providing a service that meets the needs of all users, whether or not they have cash or card with them.
“Steps have been taken to have new cash and card payment machines in place by the end of February; and together with this new phone option, our long-term low tariffs and further investment across our car parks I am confident that people will value the level of provision within Sleaford.”
Charges generally apply from 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, with Sundays, Bank Holidays and all evenings currently free. Throughout December there is free parking every Saturday in all seven North Kesteven District Council-owned carparks (but not in the town council’s Eastgate car park).
Currently the split of customers choosing cash or card payment is roughly equal, but it is known that as people generally carry less cash, phone payment options are increasingly popular.
Cllr Smith thanked partners Lincolnshire County Council and APCOA, which holds the area’s parking enforcement contract, for advancing this solution.
All drivers are reminded that regardless of preferred payment method all parking must be paid for, and so it is good practice to have a little lose change available in the car just in case. When a machine doesn’t accept payment the advice is to try an alternative if there is one in the car park, or now to try the app or call the number. Faults should be reported on 01529 414155.
Parking charges start from just 50p for two hours at the Brydone Way car park off Grantham Road, or 70p for up to an hour at Eastbanks, Cogglesford Mill, Station Road and Westgate.
On Monday, December 16, there will be some disruption and reduced capacity at Money’s Yard due to a programme of repairs scheduled to last one day only.
To see all of the Sleaford parking locations and standard tariffs go to: www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/parking
For more information about the APCOA Connect App see: www.apcoaconnect.com