Motorists see new parking rules come into effect today across southeast with thousands impacted

Drivers have been warned of new parking rules coming into effect today which will impact how they pay for commuting across the southeast.

The changes will affect parking at all Southeastern railway stations and will see drivers no longer able to use ‘pay and display’ machines.

The changes mean passengers will be forced to pay for their parking through online measures and new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.

The move hopes to introduce “quicker and easier” parking for station users who until now needed to return to their vehicle, before boarding the train, to display their parking ticket.

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Customers now have multiple options for paying their parking fees at Southeastern stations at the same time as paying for train tickets. Payments can be made at Ticket Vending Machines station, which accepts cards, cash, Apple Pay and Google Pay at most locations.

These changes affect all Southeastern stations, though a small number of locations cannot accept cash payments for parking.

Alicia Andrews, Commercial Director at Southeastern, said: “We are continuing to invest in our stations and our car parks to make it simpler, easier and more welcoming to travel by train.

“Over the coming weeks, will be switching on the ANPR system at 42 stations across our network but changes to payment options will be in place at all Southeastern stations from today.”

She added: “This means all customers can immediately make use of the simpler and more convenient payment options available and instead of returning to their vehicle to pay and display everyone can simply pay for their parking at the same time as their ticket and be on their way.”

Andrews noted that most customers using existing APCOA or phone payment methods would experience no changes to their parking arrangements.

The train line operator stated that the full ANPR system will be operational at 42 selected stations by the end of March 2025. The implementation of ANPR had previously been paused to allow for ticket machine upgrades to get underway ensuring most machines could accept cash payments for parking.

Posters and leaflets have been displayed at stations in recent weeks to inform customers of the changes. But passengers can still pay by parking using numbers provided on signs at the station, Blue Badge holders can park for free but must register their vehicle in advance.

Stations not listed for ANPR implementation will still adopt the new payment methods across the Southeastern network. These locations will maintain their current enforcement system through regular patrols, the operator explained.

The standardised approach to payment options hopes to ensure consistency across all Southeastern station car parks, regardless of whether they use ANPR technology.

This means all station users will benefit from the simplified payment process, even at locations not receiving the automated number plate recognition system.

Enforcement at these non-ANPR car parks will continue as before, with patrol officers monitoring parking compliance.

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Stations impacted by the changes:

Ashford International

Faversham

Longfield

Sidcup

Barming

Folkestone Central

Maidstone East

Sittingbourne

Battle

Gillingham

Marden

Staplehurst

Bexley

Gravesend

Meopham

Stonegate

Borough Green

Hastings

Mottingham

Strood

Canterbury East

Hayes

Orpington

Tonbridge

Chatham

Headcorn

Otford

Tunbridge Wells

Crayford

Higham

Paddock Wood

Wadhurst

Dartford

High Brooms

Petts Wood

West Malling

Eltham

Hildenborough

Rainham

West Wickham

Sevenoaks

Woolwich Arsenal