Somerset Council to replace car park machines with unclear cash policy

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 06:03 · Archive

Somerset Council is spending £350,000 to replace outdated parking machines but cannot yet confirm whether they will accept cash.

Somerset Council has allocated £350,000 from its parking reserve to replace what it describes as 'outdated' pay and display machines across Somerset. The council's executive committee voted on 7 October to approve a 10 per cent increase in parking charges effective from January 2027, alongside the introduction of a new tiered parking system from the autumn.

The installation of new machines is expected to begin early in 2027. However, the council has not been able to confirm whether the new machines will accept cash payments. The council said it is 'too early in the project' to determine this, and that more details will be provided once the procurement process is completed.

Local residents have raised concerns about the lack of clarity on cash payment options, particularly given the shift towards digital payment systems. The council is also joining the National Parking Platform as part of these changes. Any income from car parking must be reinvested in parking improvements or related work, meaning the council will not need to borrow additional funds for the project.

How it is being reported

• New parking system in Somerset car parks could be cashless-onlySomerset Council is spending £350,000 on replacing "outdated" parking machines - but it can't confirm at this stage whether they will accept cashSomerset County Gazette · 13 Oct, 05:00
• New parking system in Somerset car parks could be cashless-onlySomerset Council is spending £350,000 on replacing "outdated" parking machines - but it can't confirm at this stage whether they will accept cashBridgwater Mercury · 13 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Somerset Council · Somerset · National Parking Platform

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