Shropshire drivers will be able to pay for parking by mobile phone
From this Friday people will be able to use mobile phones to pay for parking at all Shropshire Council car parks.
The authority is bringing the change in which means people can use their phone for a number of different payment methods - smartphone app, text message, phone, and online.
Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said he was confident drivers would welcome the move.
He said: “This is a really exciting development that will make it much quicker, simpler and easier for people to pay to park in any of the council’s car parks.
“You’ll no longer need to worry about finding the right coins, using a pay and display machine or dashing back to the car when your time is about to run out. I think people will be surprised and impressed with just how easy it is to pay via MiPermit, especially through the app.
“We’re continually working to improve our car parks and parking service and this, along with the proposed introduction of new machines from next year that accept card payments, is a huge improvement I’m sure will be really well received by drivers.”
Shropshire Council said phone payments be ld made via its link with MiPermit – a service that allows car park operators to accept electronic payments for pay and display car parking.
The MiPermit app will allow drivers to select their chosen car park and length of stay, and to make an electronic payment.
The app is available for Apple and Android devices.
Payments are also possible online at wanttopark.com/shropshire, or by text message and phone.
The new system means there will be no need to display a ticket.
A spokesman for the council said: “Enforcement officers can check you have paid by searching their electronic system for your vehicle registration number.
“If you can’t return to your vehicle before your time runs out you can extend your parking stay quickly and easily using your mobile phone.”
Earlier this month, Shropshire Council confirmed the majority of its car parking machines could accept the new £1 coin following a delay implementing the changes.
A 10-week consultation on changes to parking charges across the council’s car parks is ongoing.
The plans have attracted opposition from some town councils , including Shrewsbury, which described them as “excessive” and “counter-productive”.
Councillor Davenport welcomed the response and urged people to express their own views as part of the consultation.
