CAR parking charges are to be reintroduced in Cardigan by Ceredigion County Council from the beginning of next month – but machines won’t be taking cash.

Charging was suspended at Ceredigion County Council pay and display car parks at the beginning of the national Covid-19 lockdown in late March 2020.

Now, cashless charging will be introduced at most council pay and display car parks from December 1.

A council spokesperson said: “This way of charging will reduce the travelling required to service and regularly empty cash machines while also reducing the risks of Covid-19 transmission associated with cash transactions.

“Members of the public will still be able to pay for their parking season tickets (three-plus months) online, over the phone or through a paper copy with a cheque.

“If there is an operational cashless machine in the car park, customers will need to pay to park. Payment will be accepted by card only (chip and pin or contactless) and selected smart phone/smart watch compatible contactless payment systems such as Apple Pay/Google Pay.

“There will be no option to pay by cash. “

Cashless charging will be introduced at the following car parks from December 1:

• Bath House, Cardigan

• Fairfield, Cardigan

• Greenfeld Square, Cardigan

• Mwldan, Cardigan

• Quay Street, Cardigan

• Regent Street, Aberaeron

• North Beach, Aberaeron

• Maesyrafon, Aberystwyth

• Lower Parc Avenue / Park Avenue Aberystwyth

• North Road, Aberystwyth

• Cwmins, Lampeter

• Market Street, Lampeter

• Rookery, Lampeter

Cashless charging will be introduced at the following seasonal car parks from 01 March 2021:

• Church Road and Rock Street, New Quay

• New Promenade, Aberystwyth

• South Beach, Aberaeron

Parking will not be charged at these car parks for the time being:

• Gloster Row, Cardigan

• Porth, Llandysul

• Talbot Yard, Tregaron

Eligible season ticket holders will be contacted in relation to their existing season tickets. Until that time their season tickets remains valid for use.

Free parking will be provided on Saturday 5, 12 and 19 of December at all council-owned pay and display car parks.