What's changing?
From January 2026, we're phasing out pay and display parking machines.
We'll start by switching off pay and display machines across the borough. We'll then remove these machines over time.
You'll still be able to pay for parking with PayByPhone. We're looking into introducing pay points in local businesses too.
Why is this changing?
Since COVID-19, more people have started using cashless payment methods. This trend has grown as mobile technology has become more accessible.
Over 96% of parking payments in Greenwich are now paid by phone. Most of our pay and display machines take an average of less than 30p a day in cash parking payments.
We want to create a cleaner, greener borough and deliver efficient council services. Removing these machines will help us achieve this by reducing:
- spending on an expensive payment option
- emissions, as our contractors drive to collect payments and maintain the machines
- risk of theft
- street clutter, which causes problems for people with mobility issues or visual impairments
When is it changing?
- In early January, we'll switch off our 52 least-used machines. These take an average of less than 1p in payments each day.
- In late January, we'll switch off our 54 next-quietest machines. These take an average of 30p in payments each day.
- In early February, we'll switch off another 62 machines. These take an average of less than £1.37 in payments each day.
- In late February, we'll switch off our 36 most-used machines. These take an average of most than £1.37 in payments each day.
When we switch off a machine, we'll place a sign on it explaining how you can pay for parking by phone. We'll also make this clearer on our existing on-street signs.
What happens next?
Once we have switched off all the machines in an area, we'll gather data on the impact this has on parking payments.
After 6 months we'll review this data and decide whether to remove the machines.
Help to use PayByPhone
You can use PayByPhone by:
- using their app
- visiting their website on your phone
- calling the number on one of our parking signs
Their website explains how it works and offers user guides for different devices.
You can use PayByPhone in different languages if your first language is not English.
Let us know what you think
We welcome any thoughts you have on our service.
If you’d like to share your views with us, email us at parking@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.