Drivers encouraged to use smartphone parking app instead but will still be able to use cash at some nearby shops

A parking meter — credit Stanislaw Gregor via Unsplash

Pay-and-display parking machines will be removed from all council-run car parks and streets in the borough, the civic centre has confirmed.

From April drivers will be told to use a smartphone app to pay for parking, leading to fears of “digital exclusion” from elderly residents who may not be able to use the technology. However, there will still be an option to pay by cash or card at local shops or to buy parking scratchcards in advance from borough libraries.

Enfield Council points out that there has been a reduction in the use of pay-and-display in recent years and a rise in smartphone payments, while the axing of parking meters is set to save the local authority £44,000 per year.

Nonetheless, resident Tina Matthews slammed the changes and said: “This requires everyone to either have a smartphone, buy scratch cards for parking or go to an address and purchase a booklet of tickets.

“This is digital exclusion for a lot of elderly people who are also being denied the right to use cash.”

As well as removing parking meters, the council is also set to raise hourly charges, although has not yet confirmed how much this rise will be. A spokesperson said: “From April 2023, the council is removing all of its pay-and-display machines from car parks and parking bays in the borough’s streets.

“Residents and visitors who do not own smartphones will be able to pay by cash or card for parking at any shop that displays the PayPoint sign.

“Parking scratchcards for display in windscreens will also be available for purchase from libraries at Enfield Town, Ordnance Unity Centre, Edmonton Green and Palmers Green and the council’s vehicle pound in Crown Road.

“Signs with a number to identify each street parking bay and car park will be installed. When drivers pay by smartphone, they will enter the number via a parking app to show where they have parked.

“The pay-and-display parking machines are being removed to reduce the amount of street furniture on the borough’s pavements which has been a long-term strategy of the council. We have seen an increase in the use of cashless parking over the past five years and a reduction in the use of pay-and-display, with cashless now being used more. The move will also save the council £44,000 per year.

“As with fees and charges generally, the council is currently reviewing parking charges, but a final decision is yet to be made.”

The PayPoint network includes 28,000 locations across the UK, including more than 150 in Enfield borough.

For more information about parking in Enfield:
Visit enfield.gov.uk/services/parking/pay-and-display-charges

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.