LOCAL authority-operated parking machines in Herefordshire are to be upgraded to prepare for the switchover to 4G.

The upgrade is required to meet the switch-off of 3G nationwide that is due to take place early next year.

The upgrade to Herefordshire Council machines will ensure that the public will still be able to pay by their choice of payment method.

The works will cover all council operated pay and display machines in the county. Whilst the work is being undertaken, each machine will be unavailable for a few minutes to potentially over an hour.

The majority of our car parks have more than one machine available for use so most users will not be impacted by this work.

The contractors have instructed to ensure that work is completed on those car parks where there is only a single machine at a time where disruption is kept to a minimum.

Councillor Barry Durkin, cabinet member for roads and regulatory services said: “We need to carry out these works so that residents and visitors can continue to pay for parking by cash or card in the county.

“We are working to ensure that disruption should be kept to an absolute minimum, but we encourage motorists to use RingGo app wherever possible.

“These works will make sure that we are fully prepared for the 3G nationwide switch-off.