Paying for parking in Southwark has just got futuristic with the introduction of 'pay by phone' technology in the borough. The clever system allows drivers to pay for their parking and top up their parking time by using their debit or credit card over the phone. It even sends a text reminder when the parking time is due to expire. Drivers will still be able to pay by coin if they wish.

Once registered, drivers will be able to pay for their parking in as little as 30 seconds over the phone.

THe scheme is currently only available in three of Southwark's controlled parking zones - Bankside, Borough and London Bridge. If the scheme proves popular and successful it will be made available throughout the borough.

Southwark Council has teamed up with the well established pay by phone company RingGo who are providing the technology and support.  Unlike some other systems, RingGo's technology only requires a driver to register once - which means the time required to pay by phone is drastically reduced. Drivers registered will be able to pay by phone in other boroughs around the UK also teamed with RingGo.

Parking attendants will be equipped with a special mobile phone that will show them which cars in the street have paid for parking by phone. The attendants will also be on hand to show people how to use the service and provide help if needed.

Paul Noblet, assistant executive member for environment and transport, said: "This technology is really fantastic - so simple to use but also clever enough to remind you when the parking time is due to expire.

"Imagine how great it will be to top up your parking without returning to your car. No more interruptions half way through a movie to put more coins in the meter!

"We are looking forward to hearing from people who use the service - and if we get positive reports we'll certainly be looking at how the rest of the borough could benefit from this technology."

Ends.

Notes for editors

Q.  How does the service work?

A.  The service is currently only active in three controlled parking zones these are zones C1 (Bankside), C2 (Borough) and F (London Bridge).

Signage on the pay and display explains how the system works and gives the driver a London number to call to register their car with the service (0203 046 0010). Calls to this number are charged at the driver's normal airtime rate.

The call will be answered by an automated voice recognition service (however a live consultant is available if needed). Drivers calling for the first time will be asked to select a four digit pin number for security and to register their credit or debit card.  The driver will then be asked for some detail about their car, how long they wish to park and the location number of the parking bay. The location number is clearly marked on the pay and display signage.

Once registered drivers will by able to 'fast track' some of these steps. For example, when they call they will be asked if they wish to park their 'blue Ford' and want to pay with their credit card ending in '4321'.   A 20p service charge applies to each parking transaction. Reminder texts are charged at 10p per text.