Paper parking permits for residents parking in Reading are to go digital from November.
The change will affect 17,000 households and 12,000 parking spaces in the borough.
The decision to scrap the paper permits was made following discussion by the council’s traffic management sub-committee on Wednesday, September 1).
Cllr John Ennis, (Labour, Southcote) lead council for climate strategy and transport, said: “It is about time we considered digital permits as some people would say, residents, come into the 21st Century.
“I think it’s primarily for the ease of residents. I mean, it may present a cost saving exercise which would be excellent, but really, ultimately, it’s about making it easier for residents to get parking permits.”
Paper permits will be retained for vulnerable residents and their carers, and visitors, with a view to introducing digital permits for visitors at a later date.
CllrEnnis explained: “I know there have been lengthy discussions about this and the issue about many of our residents who can’t get access or who are not IT literate, that we’re still holding onto the paper version for a period.
“So that diversity is considered, so we are taking into consideration those who are not IT friendly, but by and large moving to digital is the way forward.”
Reading Borough Council trialled a digital parking permit scheme in Caversham before deciding to roll-out the scheme across the borough.
Permits are divided into two types – annual permits for residents, businesses and carers, which are currently in paper disk form, and scratch cards for visitors, temporary purposes, landlords and tradespeople.
Cllr Sarah Hacker raised concern about how digital visitor permits will work for parking spaces outside homes of multiple occupation (HMOs).
A council transport officer replied that they are working with the digital permit supplier on designing a system for visitors at HMOs.
Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward asked whether people in the trial area for digital visitor permits could revert back to paper visitor permits.
The officer replied that these households would be able to do this.
