Northallerton Applegarth parking changes and new machines

North Yorkshire Council has installed the machines at Applegarth Short Stay Car Park and parts of the High Street in Northallerton, where drivers must enter their registration before choosing how long to park.

The council says the machines are part of a “county-wide scheme replacing paper tickets with a more reliable, environmentally friendly system”.

The first hour is still free, but drivers must enter their full registration number to claim it.

Drivers said the system, installed two weeks ago, was harder to use than the old one.

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

One motorist said: “It was so much easier just to press a button and get a ticket for free parking without having to put reg in.”

Another member of the public added: “Why change it? Seemed to work well enough as it was.”

The council said the new machines were “easier to use, with larger screens and a simpler interface”.

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

Drivers are also confused about how the free hour works when they stay longer.

One person asked: “So can I park for three hours at £1.70? One hour free and two hours at £1.70.”

Others asked whether they could pay by app or extend their stay without going back to the machine.

The council confirmed the free hour remains and said alternative payment methods are available if a machine breaks down.

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

Workers who use the car park have also condemned the prices.

One driver said: “The prices are extortionate! Now £12.30 for eight hours. Guess I’m going to have to look at other options to park whilst at work.”

But the council said the new technology had not increased parking charges.

It said the prices remain those set out in its parking order.

Residents fear drivers seeking cheaper or free parking will spill into nearby residential streets.

One resident said: “Already a plague of people parking in our private road which is clearly marked ‘resident only parking’.”

Another added: “Going to be fun down Upwell Road and surrounding areas then.”

The council said it would monitor cars moving into surrounding streets and “review any serious problems”.

Residents concerned about parking spilling into residential areas should contact the council’s parking team at Parking.sca@northyorks.gov.uk.

One driver also claimed only one new machine was working during their visit.

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

The new ticketless car park machines at Applegarth car park in Northallerton

The council said alternative payment methods were available when a machine was out of service and that it was monitoring the rollout and gathering feedback.

Another person asked whether the machines issue receipts so workers can reclaim parking costs.

The council confirmed workers can still obtain receipts for business expenses through the machine or digital payment methods.

But not everyone has criticised the change.

One member of the public said: “At least there will be less ticket litter in the car park.”

Another called the charges “very reasonable”.

New signs say charges apply from 8am to 6pm from Monday to Saturday, including bank holidays.

The tariff is £1.70 for two hours, rising to £3.60 for three hours, £5.20 for four, £7.10 for five and £8.70 for six, as part of North Yorkshire Council’s new car parking tariff.

Longer stays cost £10.50 for seven hours, £12.30 for eight, £14 for nine and £15.80 for ten.

Parking sessions cannot be transferred, so drivers cannot give unused time to someone else.

The council said paper tickets were also non-transferable and the registration-based machines keep that rule.

Blue Badge holders can still park for free without entering their registration, provided their badge is clearly displayed.

The council said it would “keep monitoring the rollout and gathering feedback as drivers get used to the system and that traffic wardens will still issue fines”.