MOBILE phones can now be used to pay for car parking fees across the Braintree district and even help lost motorists find their vehicles.
From Monday, residents and visitors to Braintree and Witham could pay by phone after the launch of MiPermit in all of the district council's pay and display car parks.
The council say it will make paying for a car park easier if it is done online or via a phone as it will enable customers to keep hold of their change to use elsewhere during their trips to these towns.
For no additional fee, parking can be paid for via a smartphone app, website, text or phone call, and there is no need for a paper ticket.
Chairman of the joint committee for the North Essex Parking Partnership and Braintree District Council's deputy cabinet member for Place, Cllr Robert Mitchell, said: "Bringing MiPermit to Braintree and Witham supports the many shoppers, commuters and visitors to our towns, in turn boosting businesses.
"I encourage everyone to use the quick, easy and secure MiPermit to pay for parking stays, whether via the smartphone app, online portal, text or phone call.
"Keeping hold of your change is just one of the benefits, so next time you visit make sure you choose MiPermit."
A parking stay can be topped up with the secure payment method, provided through the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) of which the council is a member.
The council also says using MiPermit is an easy way of reducing the risk of receiving a penalty, as optional reminders of when parking time is running out are available.
The MiPermit smartphone app can also help guide forgetful motorists back from the town centres to where their car is parked.
Cash 'pay and display' will continue to be available in all car parks for customers using coins, unlike in Chelmsford where a similar scheme has meant all coin payments have been scrapped in some car parks.
Colchester, Epping Forest and Uttlesford, began using MiPermit in 2012.
More information on parking in towns across the Braintree district and MiPermit registration is available at www.parkingpartnership.org/braintree.
