Aging pay and display machines in car parks across Bury St Edmunds are to be replaced with new ‘intelligent’ models which will use the latest technology to improve the service given to drivers.
A total of 17 easy-to-use machines will be installed in car parks at Ram Meadow, St Andrews (the old Roys car park) and Parkway (the surface car park next to the cinema) during the next week, with work starting on Monday (17 November). Although there may be some disruption during the project, information boards will be displayed and parking attendants will be on hand to give help and advice to drivers. Temporary solar powered pay machines will also be brought in so that people can still buy a ticket during the works.
Once installation is complete, the ‘intelligent’ machines will use wireless technology to send an automatic signal to St Edmundsbury’s parking services office should any problems arise. This means that any faults can be fixed immediately, improving the service given to drivers.
Cllr Terry Clements, St Edmundsbury’s portfolio holder for transport and planning, said:
“These new machines will be a massive improvement on the ones which were in place and will make life simpler for motorists by ensuring any problems which arise are quickly resolved. Similar high-tech machines were installed in Haverhill last year and have been well received by motorists who find them easy-to-use and convenient.”
Tickets issued by the new machines will not stick to windscreens but can instead be displayed on a dashboard or inside a clear plastic ‘parkie’ wallet, available for just 50p from the borough council. The new tickets are being introduced because they are more cost effective and environmentally friendly and can be recycled as they no longer have glue on the back.
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Note to editors: Work in Bury’s car parks will take place in two phases, with the second phase beginning after Christmas.
Issued by: Liz Hearnshaw, Communications Unit, St Edmundsbury Borough Council. Phone: 01284 757034. Email: liz.hearnshaw@stedsbc.gov.uk
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