Multi-storey car parks in a town centre will have their payment methods changed by the end of the year. Worthing Borough Council said number plate technology currently in use will be replaced with new payment machines. This means visitors will have to pay for their parking when they get to the car park rather than just before they leave.
READ MORE: Bizarre private parking signs appear in free council car park Drivers will be able to pay in cash, card or by using the MiPermit App. On the app, drivers will be able to extend the time of their stay from their phone rather than going back to the car park. A spokesman for Worthing Borough Council said: "We’re changing the way visitors pay to use our multi-storey car parks to make visiting Worthing easier.
"The number plate technology currently being used at the multi-storeys has come to the end of its life and needs to be replaced. "Some motorists are having problems using these car parks because the technology fails to read their number plates correctly, which can mean they can’t drive in, pay or leave after their visit. "Rather than buying new number plate technology, we’re going to install new payment machines at the multi-storey car parks.
"Instead of paying when they leave one of the multi-storey car parks, drivers will need to pay for their stay when they arrive, as they do in our surface car parks. "The changes mean we’ll have more members of our parking team out and about in the car parks and able to speak to customers who need help." Since the news was announced, members of the public have expressed concerns about this new payment method.
Stephanie Oxenford Leigh said: "This is so annoying. I love the fact you don’t have to rush back to your car by a certain time and this is surely better for the businesses in the town." Emily Garvey wrote on the council's social media post: "That's really frustrating.
I always end up wandering around the shops and pier longer than I thought I would. Paying afterwards is ideal." The council said it has discussed the changes with the Worthing Town Centre Business Improvement District.
New payment machines will be installed at Buckingham Road car park ready for its reopening next month. They will then be fitted at the Grafton and High Street car parks later this year..
