Digital parking permits for people visiting family and friends will be rolled out across Reading within days.
Digital parking permits for visitors will soon be available in Reading, replacing the old scratchcard system. This change allows residents to grant temporary parking permissions online using their visitors' vehicle registration numbers.
Previously, residents had to issue scratchcard permits that only allowed parking for half a day, leading to wasted time. Now, 120-hour permit packs can be booked in one-hour blocks, offering a much more flexible approach.
The new system is set to launch on Wednesday, November 12, following successful trials in Lower Caversham. While all new applications will be digital, current paper permits remain valid until their expiry date.
John Ennis, lead councillor for transport, stated that the digital permits provide greater flexibility for visitors and reduce waste from unused permit hours. Enforcement remains strict; overstayers will be fined by parking attendants and the council's CCTV vehicles.
Cllr Ennis added that the digital system aims to lower printing costs while ensuring that residents can still report unauthorized parking effectively. For those without online access, physical permits are still available upon request.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
