Drivers struggle to pay for parking using QR code

Some drivers have been complaining about a new ticketless car parking system at a shopping centre in Reading.

In October the Oracle Riverside car park implemented a new method of paying for parking - using QR codes or tap out on exit.

But Andrew Curtis said he and his wife had struggled to pay for parking twice, and in the future they would shop elsewhere.

Steve Belam, head of operations for Hammerson, which owns the car parks, said the new system was "much more efficient".

But Mr Curtis, from Wargrave, said the new system was "a very long-winded and convoluted way to pay for your parking".

Sharon Illingworth, from Leeds, visited Reading as a tourist and said she struggled paying for parking.

"The codes don't work and there is no way to pay unless you get to the exit," she said.

"I think you should still have the choice to pay for cash as well as card."

"Elderly people are still getting used to using their cards, rather than cash, and all of a sudden, they got to use their mobile phone. They're lost, it's not fair."

But Carl Milan said the QR code system was "very easy to navigate because I am used to it but it's not for everyone".

Mr Milan added: "Especially for senior citizens who don't have a phone that is equipped to read the QR code.

"They are going to struggle a lot of time to use the system."

Mr Belam said the reason behind changing the payment method was to make it a "seamless experience".

He said: "There is a lot of car parks where you have to download an app, which you don't have to do with us, it is much more efficient and environmentally friendly."

"We've installed pay stations at our exit barriers so if people are having difficulty paying on their phone, they simply drive to the pay station, and they can just tap their debit card at the barrier and they will release them."

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