Now National Trust joins parking app chaos: Two MILLION face ‘parking meter deserts’ as councils ditch traditional pay and display meters in favor of ‘cashless’ alternatives in scenic spots
- For some, Frensham Little Pond became a parking hell when pay-and-display was removed
- It’s one of about 30 ‘cashless’ National Trust car parks that require an app
- Charity confirmed it had cleared machines in the car park following the vandalism of four
For hikers, nature lovers and local families, Frensham Little Pond has long been a popular destination.
But for some, this green haven in western Surrey has become a parking hell since the National Trust removed traditional pay-and-display meters.
Instead, drivers are instructed to use the PayByPhone parking app. And the Daily Mail can reveal it’s one of about 30 ‘cashless’ National Trust car parks, meaning just under 4 per cent are now ‘app-only’.
It comes as 2 million people face a future in ‘parking meter deserts’ as municipalities scrap traditional machines in favor of cashless alternatives. Charity bosses and MPs have labeled the trend ‘appalling’ and urged councilors to consider the implications for elderly motorists.
Leveling Up’s secretary, Michael Gove, has written to all local authorities in England warning them not to force drivers to use their phones to park.
For some, this green haven in western Surrey has become a parking hell since the National Trust removed traditional pay-and-display meters
For hikers, nature lovers and local families, Frensham Little Pond has long been a popular destination
Visitors to Frensham Little Pond were quick to voice their frustrations.
Landscape architect Phil Brown, 57, who was there with his elderly father, said: ‘I hate these machines.
“I flat out refuse to download another parking app on my phone and I see absolutely no reason why they can’t make provision for cash or card payment.”
Mr Brown, from Somerset, added: ‘I just hate the whole bureaucracy of it all. So now we’re going to get back in the car and drive somewhere else where I can normally pay for parking.’
Site visitors can park through the PayByPhone app, log into the company’s website, or by texting or calling.
A sign said that drivers could pay for parking at a cafe if they were “struggling with the app.” However, it took more than four minutes for a young person to walk up to the cafe – and it’s only open from 10am to 3pm.
Parking is free for National Trust members if they leave their membership card on the dashboard.
Teacher Emma Ghosh, 44, said: ‘My membership expires in a few weeks and I don’t really want to renew it. But if I don’t, I’ll have to find another parking spot.’
But visitors were quick to express their frustrations as they see no reason not to pay with cash or card
The conservation charity confirmed it had removed ATMs in the car park in 2021 following the vandalism of four machines where thieves successfully stole or attempted to steal money.
Last night, activists called on bosses to bring back traditional meters. Baroness Altmann, former pensions minister and senior campaigner, said: ‘The National Trust should reconsider its decision to deprive people who don’t have smartphones of the ability to park in some of their car parks – it’s wrong and it’s shameful.’
And Dennis Reed, of the Silver Voices campaign group for retirees, added: “Even in their spare time, the elderly are isolated by technology.”
A National Trust spokesman said: ‘We are sorry for the impact this has had on some users of this car park. Visitors who prefer to pay cash can do so in the café, which is open between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in winter and between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. in summer.’