TEST Valley motorists will soon be able to pay for their parking with the tap of a card.

It has been revealed the borough council will replace all of its cash-only pay and display ticket machines with ones that accept debit and credit cards and smartphone payments, as well as coins.

This comes after a recommendation was put forward at full council at the end of June and the authority hopes to replace all of its machines by the autumn.

Test Valley Borough Council’s planning portfolio holder, Cllr Nick Adams-King, said: “This major change will make it easier for people to visit our town centres and shop locally.

“The ability to pay by credit and debit card or other contactless methods is now part of people’s everyday lives.

"Cash transactions in general have been in decline over the past few years and customers now expect to be able to pay for services via non-cash methods.

"There are now so few occasions when we need to carry cash and therefore having coin-only pay and display is becoming an increasing hindrance for shoppers.”

Romsey town centre manager, Mark Edgerley, said: “We live in a society where people are so used to using their cards and smartphones to make payments and we have a responsibility to respond to this and adapt accordingly for the benefit of our town centres and the convenience of shoppers and visitors alike."

Cllr Janet Burnage, who represents Romsey Cupernham on the borough council, said: "I would love it. I think it will make life much easier as most people pay by card or contactless.

"They say we are moving into a cashless society and I am sure that will be part of it.

"I have previously stood at parking meters before and some people have asked for change, as they expect to pay by card."

RingGo will also continue to be offered in all council car parks.

This comes as the borough council announced parking in the centre of Romsey will soon return to normal as works to the town’s Market Place are completed.

Spaces that were once occupied by the contractor’s compound in Church Place will be available after it is due to be removed on August 16.

This means the parking spaces occupied will once again be available for the public to use from the following day.

The spaces in Lortemore Place will then return to two-hour pay and display parking from September 16.

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