Automatic car number plate recognition here

Douglas Council is introducing automatic number plate recognition to replace tickets in two of its main car parks.

The ticketless system is being brought in at Shaw’s Brow and Bottleneck car parks and will also provide more ways to pay. As well as using cash and cards, customers will be able to pay through the Glide parking app on Android and IOS devices, or by setting up a credit account.

Pre-payment card holders will be able to transfer credit to the new system.

The council says the system should prove more reliable and convenient. It has provided a step-by-step guide to how the system works:

 It works by recognising the user’s registration number, so customers will need to know their vehicle’s registration number to pay and exit the car park as well as to set up a credit account.

As the vehicle approaches the entry barrier, the system captures an image of the registration number, the barrier lifts and the customer parks as usual.

 On returning, the customer uses one of the pay stations, puts in their vehicle registration number then pays the fee displayed, using cash, debit or credit card or the Glide app.

 The customer returns to their vehicle, drives to the exit where the barrier will match the registration number against the payment made and lift to allow the vehicle out.

A council spokesman said the parking rates would be unchanged. All contract customers would be sent full instructions.

Blue badge holders can apply to receive the additional free hour. They are asked to bring their bring blue badge to the finance department in the town hall to register.

Work to upgrade the car parks will began today.

The spokesman added: ’The council hopes to minimise any disruption during the transition and asks for customers’ patience in the early weeks of the new system going live when personnel will be on hand to assist users with any problems.’