Torridge parkers will still be able to pay with cash

But it will cost council £9,000

People will still be able to pay parking fees with cash in council-owned car parks in Torridge, despite it costing residents nearly £10,000.

A proposal to go cashless in five of the district council’s car parks in Bideford, Appledore and Holsworthy was rejected by its community and resources committee.

Its members said many people, especially the elderly, prefer to pay cash and it isn’t the right time to make the change even though it would save around £10,000.

The total income for the car parks proposed – Cattle Market in Bideford, Springfield, Bideford, Odun Road, in Appledore, West Appledore and Well Park  in Holsworthy – was £139,000 last year.

One in five transactions (22 per cent) were in cash, 30 per cent with credit or debit cards at the machines and 48 per cent made using the Ringo app or phone.

Cash collection costs were nearly £9,000, with rates due to rise nine per cent this year.

Cllr Chris Leather (Ind, Northam) said he hated cashless parking and the public should have an option of how to pay.

Cllr David Brenton (Lab, Bideford South) said cashless machines often don’t work and people find them “frustrating”.

With £30,000 of fees still being paid in cash at these locations, Cllr Lauren Bright (Lib Dem,  Great Torrington) said there is still a significant amount of people who want to pay this way.

Cllr Lyndon Piper (Lib Dem, Holsworthy) said he finds it a hassle having to find change for parking and preferred using an app.

It is “clearly a generational thing”, said Cllr Doug Bushby (Ind, Bideford North): “We should retain the cash option, in 10 years’ time there maybe a different discussion.”