Cashless parking as old "take a ticket" systems thrown out in Gloucester

“I parked in Eastgate carpark on Friday, what a pain in the backside, I was unaware of the new pay and display conditions, There were no signs until you reached the top entrance to say it had now changed to P&D. I had no coins on me neither did my partner, only notes, the new machines do not accept notes and there was a sign on the attendants door saying they did not give change (not very helpful).

I had to wait in the car whilst my partner when down to the shops to get some change, I daren't leave the car without a ticket as it would be my luck to end up with a fine or clamped.

I would like to thank GCC for their notification of change of system, not everyone buys the Citizen or has access to the internet to find the above article, I am sure I am not the only person to be annoyed with chaneg in payment, it was much easier as it was. I doubt I will be going back into Gloucester shopping anytime soon, especially when I can go to Cribbs and park for free!”

“Quite honestly Paul James does not have a clue in running a business if he thinks this will bring in more revenue he should (and take the rest of his ilk) get a job in Billy Smarts Circus with the red nose dept if they will have them!
I was offered a franchise in the Quays was interested but a voice said beware!
Someone else took it on so it is open.
I have been in several times to look at the footfall in the week and weekends.
Gloucester is very quiet even at the weekend.
The myriad parking rules are a big NO NO! I have said it so many times!!
The same franchise in Cribbs is doing a roaring trade!!
I wonder why people??”

“What's this "Pay and display" system? Another new fangled confusinating thing for our poor addled mind. It will never catch on, they don't do it anywhere else... etc.

Really. Come on. Pay and Display is hardly a new thing is it? I'm sure you'll manage.


By the way, cashless parking services are excellent and very, very handy. You set it up once and when you want to park again just call the number on the machine and it has remembered your details. It will also send you a reminder text or call when your time is running out and give you the option to extend it.”

“I totally agree with Julian Smith,I am in my 50's and find it hard to adjust to all this new technology and there are plenty more like me and younger.”

“I believe that the change to pay & display will have only negative effects on the shops in Gloucester. Currently if somebody is planning to be 2 hours but looks like going over it's no big deal as all they will have to do is pay an extra £1 on exit. With the new system that person has to return to the car park and pay an additional £1.30 for an extra hour. I assume there is no way to feed the existing ticket into the machine and top it up. Also how much 'grace' will people be allowed before a ticket is slapped on the car for over-staying? If the wardens who prowl the streets are anything to go by it can be counted in seconds.
I suspect most people will simply get into their car and leave rather than faff about getting another ticket. Once again the council is looking at their short term gain, not the long term pain of the shops.
For the council to claim it's better value for the council tax payer is a damn cheek as most of the people using the car park are council tax payers who are likely to end up paying more!”

“Yet another reason for me to stay away from Gloucester city centre. Plenty of reasons already - i've just added another one to the list! Yayyyy!”

“Yet another reason for me to stay away from Gloucester. Plenty of reasons already - just added another one! Yayyyy!”

“Julian Smith should stop patronising older people, assuming they're unable to work a mobile phone or remember a PIN number. This unfair stereotyping of older people is typical of people who don't like or understand something, or for whom all change is bad. This system has a great advantage in that you can extend your parking time by phone without having to go back to the car park if you're in the middle of something when your time is up. Even as an older person, I can understand and see the benefit of that for local shops - like not rushing out in the middle of buying something or cutting short a meal because you've got to get back to the car.”

“So how do we set up this "cashless" account?

Any links etc?”

“I imagine it wont be long till you have to pay to park in Cribbs Causeway. Think of all the money they could make.”