Concerns have been raised that elderly people will be disadvantaged by the removal of parking payment machines in Kingston. One local resident said the scheme discriminated against the older people and those who do not have mobile phones, while another claimed it would stop some visitors coming to the borough.

It comes after Kingston Council officers were authorised to remove more than 180 on-street and off-street payment machines in February this year and change the relevant traffic management orders to direct customers to mobile payment, using RingGo, or PayPoint services, which can be accessed in stores across the borough.

During the consultation for the amended traffic management orders, two objections were received about the removal of the payment machines at on-street parking places and five were received about their removal at off-street parking places.

About the removal of payment machines at on-street parking places, one objector said: "I consider that this proposal has been ill thought out for the implication of those who would find it, at best, inconvenient or, at worst, difficult to pay using the proposed method.

"There are many who would not have a suitable phone to use. The alternative method of paying at a PayPoint would pose problems and cause confusion to those who are, in any way infirm."

Concerning their removal at off-street parking places, one objector said: "My grounds for objecting are that the proposed new system discriminates against the elderly and people who don't have mobile phones. To find adjacent retail premises with PayPoint facilities is easier said than done, and is an additional burden on the elderly."

Another objector said: "I think it will be a great shame to get rid of the payment parking machines. I know quite a few people who don't have smart phones to pay. It will also worry some people that they might have to go and find somewhere to pay.

"I think in a time when we are trying to encourage people back to our high streets this is not the thing to do. It might not seem a big deal to some people but I know people who have told me that if Kingston bring this in they just won't come to Kingston so very poor show."

Officers said PayPoint services are "functional and inclusive" and they will be made easier to use with extra signs and instructions. They added Blue Badge holders park for free in all pay and display bays and multi-storey car parks in Kingston.

Officers said they have strengthened proposals to support residents with moving to the RingGo or PayPoint payment methods, intend to provide comprehensive communication and targeted engagement sessions to help locals with the transition and the nearest PayPoint services will be advertised at all parking locations.

Kingston Council's place committee voted to put aside the objections and implement the scheme on Tuesday (June 20).

Lib Dem councillor Ian Manders said: "I think it's very wise of us to always consider who might be disadvantaged by this as well as the people who are advantaged by it… and a thorough process has gone into consulting the various groups that may represent the people who on the face of it may be, possibly even, disadvantaged by this and that process has been done by the council."

Councillor Manders said there had been "relatively few objections" to the traffic management orders, adding: "I don't feel there is any material evidence of disadvantage and I think the questions have been largely answered by the officers."

Charlotte Rohan, assistant director of contracts and commercial at the council, said officers are reviewing all pay and display machines in the borough and their nearest PayPoint services. The average distance to a PayPoint outlet compared to a pay and display machine, according to latest data, she said, is 0.11 miles, while the longest is 0.45 miles.

Ms Rohan said officers will monitor any concerns raised about specific sites when rolling out the scheme, and look at how to remedy any issues on a case-by-case basis.

But Kingston Independent councillor James Giles said more work should be done on how to help "people who are either elderly or unable to travel the 0.45 miles to get to their nearest paypoint if they don't have a mobile".

He said: "I know a number of other authorities offer sort of annual permits to allow people, in effect, to prepay an amount and that would be certainly a thing to look into."

Councillor Giles said he had tried three PayPoint outlets in recent months and "not one of them knew what I was on about and that really concerns me". He suggested officers write to all PayPoint outlets in the borough "with guidance to ensure they are able to accept payment instore".

Ms Rohan said officers had visited all PayPoint outlets in the borough and will revisit each to make sure they are aware of timescales and provide them with extra information. The communications plan for the scheme, she added, proposes to provide PayPoint outlets with written guidance and contact information for officers.

Councillor Manders said elderly people "can phone from home, and, in fact, actually the number of elderly people who don't have a phone of some kind or other is vanishingly small".

He said officers will look at more flexible ways of booking parking in advance to suit elderly people.