ALMOST £1m of taxpayers’ money is set to be spent on bringing public car parks in market towns into the 21st century and maintaining them.

Hambleton District Council’s leading members will consider approving a £550,000 scheme featuring increased parking payment options, such as cashless payments, through the introduction of automatic number plate recognition technology (ANPR).

The planned ANPR car parks include Auction Mart and Bridge Street car in Bedale, the Forum, Crosby Road and Applegarth in Northallerton, the Marage, Millgate and Nursery in Thisk and the Showfield in Stokesley.

Other key elements of the initiative will include changes to the layout of council-run car parks and the widening of the 4.8m x 2.4m bays by 40cm, following complaints about people struggling to get in and out of their cars.

A report to the authority’s cabinet said the move would result in the loss of 108 spaces, but with a predicted increase in demand, the council’s income from car parks was set to grow from £760,000 last year to £801,020 next year.

It is also proposed an additional £400,000 should be set aside for the maintenance of the car parks.

Hambleton council’s governance boss, Councillor Isobel Sanderson said: “We are looking to the future and being forward-thinking over the car parks as part of our work to make our market towns vibrant and attractive places for people to visit.”

“The changes are a response to what people have asked for and aim to make the car parks more user-friendly.”

The scheme will also feature the introduction of electric vehicle charging points.

The national charge point registry shows across the district there is only one public charge point - in Northallerton.

The scheme will initially charging points created in Northallerton and Thirsk, before others are introduced in Bedale, Stokesley and Easingwold. 

The plan would also see additional CCTV to enhance security installed and advance or season ticket payment options offered for long and short stay parking to replace the Parkcard concession.

If approved, the changes will be introduced at all car parks within a year.