There is now “no reason for any motorist to get a parking ticket” according to Hackney Council, since the introduction of parking payments by mobile phone, text, web and smartphone apps.

Coin payments are still an option, but the council is bringing the borough into line with Islington, Tower Hamlets and Westminster by introducing a PayByPhone option which takes payment by debit or credit card.

The cashless system applies to all council on-street pay and display bays and car parks, and first time users register by dialling a local rate number, giving vehicle details, location and the payment card.

The next time they use the service, they only need to provide a three digit security code and their current location, as the technology identifies the mobile phone being used.

Motorists receive a reminder text when their parking time is running out and will be able to make a payment from anywhere in the borough.

Hackney Council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods, Cllr Feryal Demirci, said the system would make parking “quicker and more convenient,” but added there would be “no reason for any motorist to get a parking ticket.”