A shortage of cash is no bar to using council-owned car parks in Banstead and Tattenham Corner.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is the first council in Surrey to install phone parking.

Once registered with RingGo, motorists will be able to ring a local telephone number (01737 880 022) to pay for parking, by giving the car park reference number, which will be on the pay-and-display machine, and stating how long they wish to stay for.

Once parked in a long-stay car park, if motorists are running late for any reason, they can simply extend their parking time by the same method. No ticket is needed.

RingGo has proved to be very successful in council run car parks in other areas of the country and at a number of train stations in other parts of Surrey, providing motorists with an alternative method of paying for their parking.

Coun Allen Kay, executive member for regeneration, said: “This initiative is a welcome alternative to our pay-and-display machines, and will give motorists the choice of how to pay for their parking.”

The new service will be available at The Horseshoe (long term); High Street (short term) in Banstead and The Mound, Tattenham Corner .

First time users can register by mobile phone by calling 01737 880022 or by visiting www.ringgo.co.uk.

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