Dorset car parking machines to be upgraded
But they'll still accept cash
Last updated 9th May 2023
Dorset's getting new car parking machines but drivers will be pleased to know they'll still accept cash.
Council bosses say they "appreciate how irritating it is for people in other areas where this is no longer an option”.
Work starts in Park Street in Weymouth on Tuesday 9 May, with all car park and on-street pay and display machines expected to be replaced by mid-July.
The machines will provide customers with a range of payment options, including cash, card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and an online app.
Wi-Fi will also be improved in car parks with weak phone signals, ensuring smoother transactions.
The payment facilities and display screens will at a height suitable for wheelchair users.
Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, Dorset Council, said: “Our new machines will address the reliability issues that have frustrated us and our customers. They’ll also bring a standard across the area, something we’ve been keen to address since we became one council.
“I am pleased we will continue to accept cash, as I appreciate how irritating it is for people in other areas where this is no longer an option.”
Cllr Bryan continued: “We thank our customers for their co-operation during this process as we strive to make parking process easier for all."
Updated communications technology will enable the council to be automatically informed if the machines experience a fault, with the required fix happening quickly and remotely whenever possible.