Use free smartphone app to pay in all Mansfield District Council owned car parks from today

Residents and visitors to Mansfield will no longer have to hunt for change before parking following the introduction of a cashless parking service.
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From today Mansfield District Council is introducing RingGo cashless parking as an additional way to pay in all council-owned pay and display surface level car parks.

Every car park has a unique code so people can either pay over the phone, by text, online or by using a free smartphone app. In Mansfield, there is no convenience charge for using the service.

People can choose to receive an optional text reminder costing 10p, alerting them that their parking time is coming to an end, and if they wish to stay longer, they can top up their time without having to return to their vehicle.

The existing ticket machines will remain so people can still pay with cash if they prefer.

​At Water Meadows and Church Lane car parks, people who use RingGo are currently unable to get a refund towards parking when using the Water Meadows Swimming and Fitness Complex. The council is looking into the issue and has apologised for any inconvenience.

Councillor David Smith, portfolio holder for cultural services, town and district centres, said: “Not only have we provided 30 minutes’ free parking in addition to reducing the cost of parking in our multi-storey car parks, but we are also making it easier for those who tend not to have any change when they need it.

“Using the optional reminder service also reduces the risk of receiving a fixed penalty notice for overstaying as you can extend your stay without returning to your vehicle. You’ll never have to worry about missing errands to rush back to the car again.”

The new way to pay is in addition to other parking incentives introduced in September. There is already free parking for 30 minutes in all pay and display car parks, and drivers parking in the Four Seasons and Walkden Street multi-storey car parks can park for three hours for the price of two hours.