The beginning of the end for pay-and-display car parks in the Canterbury district is under way.

Replacing the old system will be pioneering automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology which is being rolled out as part of a £1.3 million overhaul.

Now in place at the New Dover Road park and ride site, the ticketless system will be fitted at 15 other car parks in Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable.

Upon entry to a car park, the vehicle number plate will be scanned and a barrier will rise before customers park up.

On their return, customers will punch in their number plate on touch-screen machines and pay the price of their stay.

Due to the new technology, gone will be the days of users having to sprint back to their car after realising they have exceeded their pre-paid time limit. Now, customers pay for the exact amount of time they stay for.

Instead of having to frantically hunt for spare change in pockets or handbags, customers can automatically have their parking charge transferred from their bank account.

Council bosses hope the simple automatic payment - which can be made by signing up for an online account and then used at any city council-run ANPR site - will be a big hit with customers.

Paying contactless with a debit card either at a machine or at the barrier is another option, or users can still pay with cash at the end of their visit.

Peter Davies, the city council’s head of digital transformation and policy, said: “Not only will this greatly increase customer satisfaction for those using our car parks, but it will be better for trade and congestion.

“Staying for 30 minutes longer means about £15 is spent in the city - it’s a great benefit. Nationally, 17% of people do not pay at pay-and-displays.

“With this system we’ll have an almost 100% income as everyone will have to pay - but for only the length of time they stay for.

“Traffic wardens can now be better utilised elsewhere - addressing issues which people care about such as parking outside schools or parking on double yellows.”

The introduction of the new system follows a successful trial of cameras at four car parks, with technology firm Sagoss winning the tender.

Mr Davies says those fretting over forgetting their car’s registration when they reach the machine need not worry.

“You can type in just a couple of digits of the number plate and then suggestions will come up,” he said.

“It’s incredibly easy and user-friendly. The machines have been designed following feedback and these first days have gone very smoothly. Within a few weeks, everyone who comes in will know what to do.”

Wincheap park and ride is next on the list to be transformed into an ANPR site, with completion set to be in three weeks’ time.

Others to be upgraded are Sturry Road park and ride, Pound Lane, William Street, Castle Street multi-storey and Middle Wall.

St Radigund’s, Longport, Watling Street, Queningate, Miller’s Field, Castle Row, the yet-to-be-built Station Road West multi-storey, Gorrell Tank and Neptune will also be fitted with the ticketless system.

A few teething problems are expected as users begin to get to grips with the cutting-edge technology. Authority officers say they realise minor issues could be thrown up and a help line button will be available on the machines. Data collected from the modern system will help iron out the problems for the future.

Cllr Ben Fitter-Harding, who has been at the forefront of the ANPR plans, said: “I’m really pleased with progress and excited to continue with the rollout.”