Cheshire East Council has defended its introduction of cashless payments across the borough's car parks saying they are not forcing people do anything they do not want to.
Most of the Council's car parks became 'cash-free' on 2nd December 2024, with at least one car park* in every town continuing to accept cash payments.
Richard Slater raised a number of questions about the impact of introducing cashless payments during public speaking time at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday, 26th February.
He asked "What research has been carried out to assess the potential damage to retail businesses in Macclesfield as shoppers may be opting to shop out of town or online.
"Secondly, what has been the reduction in the car parking revenue since cash payments were removed.
"Number three, you'll agree that the more vulnerable are more likely to fall victim in theft or scam, which has been seen this week, or have their cards or phone stolen at a machine than they would if they had a few coins in their pocket. Has this been assessed to?"
Councillor Mark Goldsmith, Chair of highways and transport committee responded "Cashless payments were introduced in 2007, now only 12% of all transactions are now in cash. The consumers are voting with their feet. We are not forcing people to do anything they don't want, nothing they don't already do when they go and visit retailers, all we are doing is reflecting what is happening in society.
"We also know from others societies around the world like Sweden they have gone totally cashless, it's a trend that is likely to continue."
He added "Yes we did do a full impact quality assessment to ensure that nobody suffers from this. Anybody who is a blue badge holders doesn't pay to use our car parks anyway so they are not affected.
"In terms of whether it is less safe, I would disagree with that entirely with that because I don't see any reason to differ between somebody getting out their purse or wallet to getting a card out. They also have the ability to pay remotely by the smart phone and the RingGo app which they can do from the safety of their own car if they feel vulnerable or threatened to visit a machine."
Regarding the impact on parking revenue, Cllr Goldsmith said "In terms of overall payments, payments were down by 8% across the board because of the weather affecting all car parks, and people staying at home, so the car parks in Macclesfield are not unduly affected in any other way."
He added "Overall, we are taking more money after this policy decision than we were beforehand."
* Local car parks that will still accept cash payments:
South Street, Alderley Edge
School Road, Handforth
South Drive (both long and short stay areas), Wilmslow
Comments
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That's as maybe, but it's a false argument because when shopping, eating etc, customers have the choice to go elsewhere if they'd prefer to continue using cash, but that hardly applies to a car park (which tax payers own one way or another anyway). People can't exactly go to another car park next door which does accept cash can they?So it's forcing them to use cashless payments even if they don't want to (or can't), or park illegally, which will no doubt increase.
Every town still has one CEC car park that takes cash.
Therefore, they can still use that one.
Do attend the leisure centre gym - free parking for members, if spaces aren’t full.
Hate the cashless machines in poor weather and on dull days. Positions of displays down low are difficult to use.
So thanks CEC for not making it obvious where cash payments are still accepted.
Terry
Councillor arguments are mealy mouthed at best...shan't comment on what they are at worst....
The correct approach is to have ONE cash machine in EACH car park and NOT just ONE cash machine in only a SINGLE car park in the town. A cash machine in the long stay car park is no use if I want to shop in Sainsbury’s.
There’s no logic in your solution to all this. You have forced people to pay with any means other than cash.
Cash is quick and simple. The number of times I have stood behind a few persons paying by card and have to wait for the machine to authorise the payment and print their ticket. Then after they have moved off a receipt falls out of the machine and litters the floor.
Following the instructions for payment by non-cash isn’t clear either and is queue generating.
The non-use of cash has proved already to be a misguided choice when systems go down and cashless options or access to bank accounts do not work. Those out and about without cash suddenly find themselves vulnerable and stranded.
A future conflict with a foe [Russia or Trump/Musk?] will see the failure of all means of smart communication severely compromised for long periods. We [YOU the reader] should bear this in mind and regularly use cash to keep this concept functioning and viable.
It is amazing how often we hear people proudly stating they do not carry cash any more as if it has solved all their financial problems and life will be so much easier for EVER!
1. The machines are very slow when you use a credit/debit card. It's horrible queuing in the rain, there are no shelter over the machines.
2. Using the Ringo app charges you 8p per transaction on top of the payment.
3. You don't have to open a purse if using cash you just take the correct money. Using cash is the quickest way to get the payment.
RingGo parking is now endemic in all council areas of the UK.
Perhaps Cheshire East has been given an introductory incentive for WE MOTORISTS to just pay 8p - for a while and then 20p. What do you think this will increase to in say 1, 2 or 5 year's time?
Sounds like a big cash provider for RingGo. So couldn't all the UK councils have devised the SAME app on behalf of the people they serve and controlled the concept - without the 8/20p charge [perhaps just 1p?].
Well, as I have said before. We are all governed by Muppets at all levels of Government. People who can only think of giving jobs away for others to make money and not for having them in-house and keeping our council taxes low.