In a council U-turn some pay and display machines will be brought back to the city after the move to scrap them was branded “discriminatory”. Some 12 machines will be available for contactless payments on Brighton's seafront, in Rottingdean and in other “high use” locations from this week. Councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport, parking and public realm, admitted Brighton and Hove City Council has received reports that some residents have struggled paying for parking on their mobile phones.
The council voted early in 2023 in favour of getting rid of the machines in an effort to save costs. A report said the measure, which would save around £220,000, would eliminate the “large budget pressure” for converting all machines to 4G by early 2023, as well as lead to saving on cash collection, maintenance and other costs. Read more: Brighton: Council challenged over pay by phone parking The report raised concerns that the move risked “digital exclusion” as “all payments would be through the PaybyPhone app”.
Other councils across England took similar measures, blaming the cost of changing meters over to 4G as mobile operators prepare to switch off their outdated 3G networks. The move proved contentious, with Age UK raising concerns that scrapping the machines could have an adverse effect on people who are less tech-savvy. At the time Patcham councillor Carol Theobald said the move amounted to discrimination against older residents.
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