Spreading the word - new payment system at Nicholsons car park

Motorists using Nicholsons multi storey car park in Maidenhead are getting the message loud and clear this week about forthcoming changes to the payment system.

Banners are going up at the entrance and exit to the car park announcing the new number plate recognition system of payment to be launched on Monday 5 March - replacing the existing pay and display scheme.

Letters are going out to all Shopmobility and Blue Badge users, town centre shops and businesses explaining the new system and leaflets will be displayed in the cark park and the customer service centre in the Town Hall. Advantage Card holders will receive information via the regular Advantage e-newsletter.

There will also be information stands in the Nicholsons Centre on Saturdays 25 February and 3 March - the final weekends before the launch.

To use the new system motorists simply need to remember their vehicle registration and follow the instructions on the payment machines when ready to leave. Payment can be by cash or credit/debit card. Barriers will raise automatically at entrance and exit.

Drivers can also use a new service at http://www.p-pal.co.uk/ to:
• register for automatic payment by providing details of their bank card which will be automatically debited after each use
• pay online up to midnight the day after using the car park.

All drivers will benefit from an introductory offer of the existing Advantage Card tariff of £2 for four hours parking and FREE evening parking from 7pm. Once the offer ends Advantage Card holders will need to register their vehicle at the above website to continue benefitting from the reduced tariff.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, cabinet member for highways, transport and environment, said: "We are providing as much advance publicity as possible in the next few weeks advising motorists about the new payment system at Nicholsons car park.

"We are confident that it will make parking a great deal easier and quicker and remove the need to worry about staying longer than planned.

"We will also be looking at possibly rolling this scheme out to other car parks across the borough in the future."

For more details about the scheme go to http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/parking_nicholsons.htm

For more information and assistance contact the customer service centre at 01628 683800.

Shopmobility customers and Blue Badge holders should email their details - name, address, vehicle registration number and Blue Badge number - to parking@rbwm.gov.uk or by post to Parking Section, Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1RF.

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