Parking payments made easier

Paying for parking in Northumberland has just become easier with the introduction of pay by phone parking.

 

It’s been brought into most locations where pay and display currently exists – providing a safer, hands-free and flexible payment option with the ability to “top-up” extra time to the parking session when out and about.

 

The new system is an improvement on the current arrangements for pay and display car parks in Northumberland that require cash or card, both of which mean going to a machine to retrieve a ticket, or displaying a parking permit.

 

Councillor Glen Sanderson, Cabinet Member for Environment and Local Services, said: “We’re really pleased to be bringing in this new system which brings a number of benefits.

 

“There’s no need to find correct change in order to park, it reduces the need to queue to pay at the ticket machine in our popular tourist destinations and in the current climate it means there’s no need to touch surfaces if this is a concern for the user.

 

“It’s also convenient for visitors who already have an active PayByPhone account as many of the other north east authorities already use this parking provider.

 

“And we all know it’s easy to lose track of time when enjoying our beautiful county so extra time can be added remotely  – cutting the risk of overstaying and receiving a parking ticket.”

 

As well as paying by the app, people can be reassured the existing payment methods remain in place – there is no intention at this point to move to a completely cashless system

 

Locations currently with pay and display parking are:

Alnmouth, Berwick and Morpeth railway stations

Bamburgh

Beadnell

Corbridge

Hexham (coaches only in Wentworth car park)

Holy Island

Newton By The Sea

Seahouses

Countryside parks (Bolam Lake, Druridge Bay and Plessey Woods)

 

The only pay and display site that currently won’t offer the PayByPhone option is Craster due to poor mobile reception.  The council is continuing to work on a solution for this car park, although visitors can still pay with cash.

 

The service is being provided by PayByPhone. As well as being a market leader nationally, it’s the provider for the majority of local authorities in the region meaning visitors to the area may already have an active account.

 

PayByPhone parking can be done by:

 

• Downloading the PayByPhone app on the Apple App Store or Google Play

 

• Visiting paybyphone.co.uk/northumberland

 

• Calling 01670 380000.