Three Rivers District Council to Introduce App-Based Parking Solution

Strategic Insights -

Three Rivers District Council is set to become the first district council in Hertfordshire to introduce an app-based parking solution, allowing drivers to pay for parking at its 11 council-run car parks through a mobile app. The introduction of the app, operated by IPS Group, aims to make parking easier and more convenient for visitors, particularly those with mobility issues. The app will also enable drivers to extend their parking sessions and even receive refunds if their session is shorter than expected. Although some concerns have been raised about "digital exclusion" and the potential removal of physical parking machines, the council officer assures that there are no immediate plans to remove the machines.

Key Takeaways:

  • Three Rivers District Council is the only district council in Hertfordshire not to have an option to pay for parking through an app.
  • The new app-based parking solution will be operated by IPS Group, who have introduced their "ParkSmarter" app this year.
  • The app will allow drivers to extend their parking sessions and receive refunds if their session is shorter than expected.
  • The council officer assured that there are no immediate plans to remove physical parking machines.
  • Concerns were raised about "digital exclusion" and the potential removal of physical parking machines.
  • Councillors Chris Lloyd, Paul Rainbow, and Oliver Cooper expressed concerns about losing parking machines.
  • IPS Group has offered the council an introductory fee reduction for using the ParkSmarter app.
  • Each machine costs £6,000 to install and around £850 each year to maintain.
  • The council may consider reducing the number of physical parking machines installed for new and existing schemes.

Statistics:

  • 11 council-run car parks in Three Rivers will have the app-based parking solution.
  • The app will integrate fully with existing machines installed in the district.
  • IPS Group's ParkSmarter app has been introduced this year.
  • Transportation costs: Each machine costs £6,000 to install and around £850 each year to maintain.
  • Potential cost savings: Reducing the number of physical parking machines may reduce the cost of implementing and maintaining parking schemes.

Sources:

  • Christopher Day/LDRS
  • IPS Group's ParkSmarter app.