NEW parking machines are being installed at two town-centre car parks following issues with faulty barriers.

Buckinghamshire Council is introducing new parking arrangements at the Swan and Easton Street Multi-Storey car parks, and at the Handy Cross Park & Ride site.

It comes after theatre-goers attending the performance of Tubular Bells 50th Anniversary Concert at the Wycombe Swan on Sunday, March 12, where struggling to enter/exit the car park due to the barriers not working.

People were "hugely late" for the performance and the council said these issues have been happening over the last 12 months causing an inconvenience to customers, implications for the Swan Theatre, and to other businesses in the town centre and at the Handy Cross hub.

READ AGAIN: Wycombe traffic chaos as car park barriers to theatre malfunction

As such, the council is replacing the ticketed barriers with payment machines and there will also be a mobile phone payment method via RingGo.

Payment via this channel can be made as early as today (March 18). 

The council said the removal of barriers at these car parks will take place over the next two weeks, starting with Handy Cross Park & Ride car park, the Swan, and then Easton Street.

New payment machines will be installed week commencing Monday, April 3.

From Saturday, March 18, and until the new machines go live, RingGo will be the only payment method available.

Customers are required to pay the appropriate tariff for the parking session required to avoid being issued with a Penalty Charge Notice.

Customers without smartphones are also able to use RingGo, either via the online service at myRingGo.co.uk or by calling the RingGo automated phone line on 0203 046 0010.

The council warned people to pay upon arrival at the car park for the parking time they require – rather than paying upon their return.

Steven Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport, commented:

“While there may be some inconvenience during the two-week improvement works, once completed, I’m confident that the improvements will make the parking experience in High Wycombe much more user-friendly.

“By offering multiple payment options, including the RingGo app, we’re providing our residents and visitors with increased flexibility and more choices. We’re also supporting the needs of blue badge holders by enabling them to park for free without prior registration.

“In addition, the removal of entry barriers at these car parks will reduce maintenance issues, allowing for an improved customer experience and a better availability of parking spaces.”

For customers who may not have a mobile phone, alternative nearby car parks can be found using the Buckinghamshire Council car park map.

In addition to the changes detailed above, Easton Street Car Park will be closed overnight from the end of this month.

This is to help reduce the level of anti-social behaviour that has been taking place at this location.

The closure times are as follows:

Sunday to Thursday: 10pm to 6am

Friday/Saturday: midnight to 6am

The Swan Multi-Storey Car Park will remain open with additional security measures.