Folkestone & Hythe District Council will change the Sandgate Road car park in Folkestone, Kent, back to a traditional pay-and-display system starting 1 April 2026. The decision to return to the older payment method follows a trial of ANPR that was intended to modernise the parking process.
The camera-based system was first introduced in February 2024 to track when vehicles entered and exited the site. However, the project faced significant criticism from local motorists who reported frequent technical issues and long queues while trying to pay.
Council officials are making the change in direct response to feedback from members of the public who found the digital system frustrating to use. The switch marks an end to the experiment that many residents described as impractical for their daily needs.
All drivers will be required to pay for their parking at the physical terminals located within the car park area.
