DRIVERS will no longer have to hunt for spare change if they want to park in Royston s car parks. A new service has been launched by North Herts district council which allows people to pay over the phone using debit or credit card. The service has been ro

DRIVERS will no longer have to hunt for spare change if they want to park in Royston's car parks.

A new service has been launched by North Herts district council which allows people to pay over the phone using debit or credit card.

The service has been rolled out across all of the car parks in the district.

Cllr Tom Brindley, portfolio holder for planning and transport at the district council, said:

"We are really pleased to be launching this new scheme to help make life easier for motorists using our car parks. As more transactions are made using cards, people often don't carry coins.

"We hope that offering a cashless payment alternative that also allows people to top up their parking on the phone, will prove to be a welcome initiative by our residents and visitors," he said.

Motorists will have to pay 20 pence to use the service, but can ask to receive a text reminder when their parking is about to run out.

More details are available at www.north-herts.gov.uk.

But one Royston resident claims the cost of introducing the scheme would be better used reviewing parking charges in the town.

Carlo Zambonini, a prospective district council candidate for the Labour party in the Royston Meridian seat, said: "The emphasis should be on reviewing the parking regime, availability and charges throughout Royston.

"In particular, they should consider the concerns of rail users and their impact on the business conditions in the town.