SouthLondonWeekly. Community matters
Issue 33 ∙ 50p ∙ January 19 2024 ∙ www.southlondon.co.uk
'don't give the kiss of death to our street'
By Harrison Galliven
Local Democracy Reporter The introduction of a new cashless parking trial in Purley has caused a rift between residents. While some welcome the move towards modernity, others fear it will drive shoppers away. Some believe the scheme, which is
also being trialled in Addiscombe and New Addington, will also alienate the area’s elderly population, who may struggle to adapt to the new RingGooperated system. After struggling to navigate the new system, a Purley resident told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “My dad comes here, and he’s in his 70s, he doesn’t have a smart
phone. What happens if you don’t have a smart phone? It just assumes that everybody can do it and they can’t. It’s not fair.” Another shopper, Sharon, told the LDRS: “It doesn’t bother me because I don’t tend to carry cash, I prefer to do it on my phone anyway. It’s convenient for me, but I would understand if the elderly don’t take to it because they’re
more likely to be carrying cash.” The three-week trial, introduced on January 2, will require shoppers to register their parking via the RingGo app, calling a payment number or via PayPoint at an affiliated shop. Parking will be restricted to an hour and cost shoppers 20p, which goes to RingGo. Full story on page 19
Blues get Chil See time sport
See page 6
'care home resident put shampoo in porridge and ate it'
See page 11
football club neighbours want to sell