New ticketless parking machines will be installed in council-owned car parks in Harborough
New ticketless parking machines will be installed in council-owned car parks in Market Harborough next week.
The majority of the payment machines will accept contactless card payments, mobile methods and cash - and parking charges will remain the same.
The new machines are ticketless so you will not have to display a ticket.
They will be installed from Monday, November 24 in Market Harborough, and then at a later date in Lutterworth.
A spokesperson for Harborough District Council said: "Temporary signage will give car park users guidance during this period, but disruption will be kept to a minimum.
"At each machine drivers will be able to enter their registration number using a touch screen and follow simple instructions.
"There will be no need to display a ticket anymore as car parking officers will use a handheld device to check that a ticket has been purchased for a vehicle.
They added: "The upgraded machines will make paying for parking faster, easier and more reliable."
Cash, card or contactless?
New 'standard' payment machines will accept both contactless card and cash payments. In some larger car parks, there will also be additional, smaller payment machines that accept contactless card payments only. Both types of machines will be signposted by yellow Pay Here signs showing the payment methods accepted.
If paying at one of the cash and contactless card machines, drivers can opt to receive a physical receipt - and at contactless card payment machines the receipt will be available electronically by scanning the on-screen QR code.
Payment by phone will be available via the Pay by Phone App or by calling the Pay by Phone number on 0330 400 7275. Please never pay via a QR code.
Sainsbury’s car park
At Sainsbury’s car park in Market Harborough, specific information needs to be provided for refunds. To take advantage of the refund offer provided by Sainsbury’s, a receipt - either electronic or paper - must be obtained at the time of purchasing a parking session. This must then be presented in store when completing in-store purchases.
Cat Hartley, dsirector of communities and Wellbeing at Harborough District Council, said: “This upgrade is part of an investment into our car parks and will significantly enhance the convenience and accessibility of our town centres. By having modern payment options at machines and going ticketless we are improving the parking experience for all in Harborough district.”
To find out more specific details about the new payment machines visit: www.harborough.gov.uk/paymentmachines
Free parking in the run up to Christmas
The council is also offering free parking in its car parks in the lead up to Christmas on December 6, 13 and 20. This will be four hours free in short stay, all day in long stay and Lutterworth. Drivers will receive one free session per vehicle per Saturday. A free parking session must be obtained at the machines by entering your vehicle registration number or by obtaining a free parking session on the Pay by Phone App.
For general information about car parking visit: www.harborough.gov.uk/parking