DRIVERS could soon seen an overhaul of ways to pay for parking in the town after new machines were installed this week.

Halstead Town Council has announced the installation of new pay and display car parking machines in the town.

Butler Road and Chapel Street car parks, which have the capacity to hold more than 150 cars, have received new machines which will allow residents to pay for their parking via contactless card payments or cash.

The new machines were installed on Tuesday and is part of the council’s aim to overhaul, improve and modernise ways of paying for car parking in Halstead.

It comes after the council discuss the improvement at a council meeting on October 18.

Councillors reviewed an update on the changes and unanimously backed them at the meeting.

Plans have also been announced to bring new MiPermit systems to the town.

It would mean residents could pay for their parking using their mobile phones and it is hoped the new system will be accessible in the next few months.

A spokesman for Halstead Town Council said:”Halstead Town Council has achieved its aim of improving ways of paying for car parking in Halstead.

On Tuesday, November 9, the council is installing new pay and display machines in Butler Road and Chapel Street car parks.

“These will be commissioned on Wednesday 10 November. Customers will now be able to pay by contactless card or cash.

“The refund from Sainsburys will be still be available in Chapel Street car park. It is also planned that payment by phone through MiPermit should be available over the next few months”