08 May 2025
You might not be able to use coins and notes for on-street car parking in Harpenden and St Albans city centre, but new options have been introduced to allow cash payments in nearby shops.
The measure has been introduced to help people who struggle with digital payment methods, including the PayByPhone app or contactless.
Motorists can now choose to pop into a PayPoint shop near the bays and pay by cash after providing their registration number and the location code of the parking bay.
The initiative follows SADC’s unpopular decision to charge for the use of 243 limited waiting bays in Harpenden and 70 in St Albans.
Meanwile, the new one-code system for the PayByPhone app is currently being tested and scheduled to come into operation later this month to make the app easier to use.
Cllr Helen Campbell, SADC lead for parking, said: “It was always our intention to find a way for people to pay by cash although modern parking machines do not allow this.
“Most people are using PayByPhone with many others using contactless, but it is important that we allow for cash payments too.
“We recognise there are some people who might not be able to use a mobile phone app or contactless or who simply prefer not to do so.
“We do not want anyone to feel excluded from using these parking spaces, so I am pleased that our PayPoint system is now up and running. It is all about giving our residents and visitors choice and flexibility.”
The shops taking part in the scheme will display a PayPoint sticker in the window and are strategically located close to the bays.
In Harpenden, you can pay by cash at: Morrisons Daily, 46 High Street, and Wines Beers Spirits, 28 Station Road.
In St Albans, you can pay by cash at: Dulcies, 30 St Peter’s Street, Tas Food and Wine, 109 Victoria Street, Shree News, 147 Victoria Street, The Little Convenience Store, 130 London Road, and the Esso Service Station, 99-111 London Road.
