Parking is the first impression. Spelthorne Borough Council made it count.

At a glance 

• Location: Staines-upon-Thames, United Kingdom

• Partners: RingGo and WPS

• Solution: Ticketless ANPR parking with RingGo

• Live since: Late 2025

The challenge 

Spelthorne Borough Council had a clear vision for modern, accessible parking, but the current experience at Elmsleigh wasn't quite there. The biggest frustration for drivers was still being expected to rely on cash and paper tickets at a time when cash was becoming less common. When machines failed or tickets did not print, a simple process quickly became a source of stress, and a lost ticket charge only added to the problem. Visitors arrived to a frustrating start, and behind the barriers, staff were repeatedly pulled away from other responsibilities to manage them manually, with no way to recover lost charges. The system was no longer meeting the needs of drivers, staff, or the borough.

The solution 

Working with RingGo and WPS, Spelthorne Borough Council replaced its legacy system with a solution built around ANPR technology. Cameras capture each vehicle’s registration number on entry and exit, removing the need for physical tickets entirely. Drivers can pay in whichever way suits them best: through the RingGo app, by contactless payment, or using card or cash at the machines. Once payment is confirmed, the barrier opens automatically and they can exit without delay. Behind the scenes, real-time transaction data connects payment and access seamlessly, giving the Council greater visibility and enabling teams to identify and resolve issues before they impact drivers.

Express pay for entry and exit time tracking.

Results

Since implementation, the Council has seen clear improvements across both customer experience and operations. Issues related to ticketing and payments have reduced, exits are smoother, and the need for manual intervention has decreased. Drivers now benefit from a faster, more flexible experience, while staff have greater visibility and more time to focus on delivering and improving the service.

In their own words

"Installing licence plate technology at our largest barrier car park has delivered clear operational and financial improvements and noticeably reduced issues and complaints at the exit barrier. 

We have observed an increase in vehicle throughput, faster space occupancy, and a positive rise in revenue. The previous cash-only payment limitation has been overcome by introducing multiple payment options, including cash, card, and the RingGo app, offering greater convenience to motorists.

This transition has dramatically reduced entrance and exit queues, allowing motorists to navigate the car park more efficiently and saving them valuable time. Furthermore, the technology provides enhanced day-to-day visibility, enabling proactive issue management and prevention of escalation."

– Jackie Taylor, Group Head Neighbourhood Services, Spelthorne Borough Council

Simplifying parking makes the experience better for everyone.

The partnership

RingGo and Spelthorne Borough Council have been working in close partnership since January 2023, collaborating to enhance parking services across the local area. The recent expansion of this partnership to cover ANPR-enabled parking facilities demonstrates what councils can accomplish when equipped with the right technology, expertise and support. The results speak for themselves, delivering a smoother, more enjoyable experience for drivers while streamlining day-to-day operations for the Council.

Scan & Pay

• Scan & Pay combines the convenience of ANPR with the flexibility of pay-on-departure parking.

• Drivers can retrieve their parking session using their vehicle registration and pay for the exact time they have stayed before leaving the site.

• This creates a simple and convenient payment experience while allowing operators to make use of existing ANPR infrastructure.
  
  

Customer quote

"I am absolutely thrilled that the Elmsleigh car park now allows a variety of payment options! As someone who rarely carries cash or a physical wallet anymore, the integration of RingGo has made this highly convenient car park my top choice. The location is excellent, allowing entry from a quieter part of town with direct access to the shops and paying via the app means I can easily track my receipts. Best of all, it eliminates the need to queue at pay stations and reduces time at the exit barriers, making the entire experience seamless and efficient."

– Scan and Pay Customer