Changes on the way for on-street pay and display parking in Oxfordshire
From late-August all of Oxfordshire County Council's old pay and display machines will start to be scrapped and replaced by 85 new units.
The county council is investing £350,000 in brand new machines which will make paying for parking easier – drivers will be able to pay with cash or card.
There are currently 120 old machines being replaced with 85 new ones in Oxford, Abingdon, Wallingford and Henley. All machines will accept card payments while some will accept card and cash. Reducing the number of machines that hold cash will reduce overheads and improve security while ensuring everyone is able to pay regardless of where they park.
County Councillor Yvonne Constance, Cabinet member for Environment, said: “All of our on-street machines are being replaced – a major undertaking that we wanted to get right in terms of the function and location of the new machines.
“On-street parking is a short-term option for those needing to make quick visits, particularly to Oxford – the county council has convenient park and ride facilities for people wanting to spend longer in the city – using these helps to reduce congestion.
“We couldn’t upgrade the components in the existing machines as they were simply too old and were bought second hand in 1994. Regardless of the new coins, they were in need of replacement having given decades of service.
“Old £1 coins cease being legal to tender on 15 October 2017. All of our new machines are expected to be in place by the end of September.
“Until the machines are replaced and fully operational an appropriate message is displayed on old machines telling people those machines are not able to accept the new one pound coins.”
For the time being drivers are advised to use other denominations of coins as the machines accept 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p and 50p pieces. Old £1 coins are still in circulation and can be used. There is a machine on St Giles that accepts card payments and this could also be an option for people parking there.