Parking permits could be going digital very soon in one area in Reading - meaning motorists will not have to display paper versions.

Reading Borough Council is trialling a digital parking permit scheme in Lower Caversham in a bid to offer 'more flexibility' and 'better value for money' when parking.

Digital permits are registered on parking systems, which means wardens on patrol can instantly check on their handpieces if a vehicle holds a valid permit or not.

This will mean no physical permit needs to be displayed on the windscreen.

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Paperless permits have been used in London Boroughs and other towns and cities for a number of years.

The council believe digital permits can reduce complaints to the parking enforcement team, as the scheme is not compromised by physical discs falling from windscreens, or visitor scratch cards being used incorrectly.

The Council is proposing piloting the scheme in Ardler Road, Brackstone Close, Briants Avenue, Champion Road, Coldicutt Street, George Street, Gosbrook Road, Heron Island, Kings Road, Marsack Street, Mill Green, Mill Road, Montague Street, Nelson Road, Piggots Road, Queens Road, Send Road, Southview Avenue, St Johns Road and Washington Road.

The zone was selected as there are 584 current resident permit holders.

Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “Digital permits are widely and very successfully used in other parts of the country and if approved following a statutory consultation process, this pilot will provide us with valuable feedback from local residents in the trial area.

“If the trial is approved, it is a change for residents who are of course used to seeing physical permits in windscreens. It is important to remind residents that just because a physical permit is not showing, it doesn’t mean a car does not have a permit. Our wardens will be patrolling the residents zone as usual and checking every single vehicle for a valid permit."

Reading Borough Council is asking for residents feedback on the pilot scheme.