Motorists using The Friary Car Park in Lichfield will be able to enjoy their visit to the city without the fear of being penalised thanks to new payment machines that Lichfield District Council has installed.
From Monday, 5 June the facility will utilise a pay on exit system meaning they can stay for as long as they wish, free of the worry of having to return to their car by a certain time as they might with pay and display.
A camera will pick up the vehicle’s registration number as it enters and records the duration of its stay.
Then when the customer returns to the car park to leave, they simply enter their registration number in the payment machine which charges them the correct tariff for the period they have been parked.
After payment has been received, the barrier will rise as customers drive up to the exit.
Councillor Andy Smith, Lichfield District Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Leisure, Parks and Major Projects, said:
“The new system at The Friary Car Park will enable customers to park with confidence.
“The fear of being issued with a Parking Charge Notice is removed which will encourage more people to visit and linger longer in our beautiful city.”
Staff will be on hand, in person or via intercom, in the first few weeks of operation to assist customers in using the new payment machines which have been supplied by Flowbird Smart City UK Ltd.
Residents and permit holders at Franciscan View, a retirement housing complex which sits on the same site as the car park, are on an approved list and able to park and leave without payment.
Visitors and contractors of Franciscan View can access a tablet in the reception foyer to exempt their vehicle from payment.
Blue Badge holders can register online or contact our Customer Services team on 01543 308000 so they are not charged for parking.