TICKETLESS parking has been rolled out at train stations across Essex.

Greater Anglia and NCP have introduced automatic number plate recognition at sites across the county.

It now means customers no longer need to pay and display a ticket.

Instead the cameras record their number plate and the customer can pay at a payment kiosk on return to the station.

The new kiosks allow passengers to select their number plate and then pay by cash, card or app alternatives.

Alternatively, customers can choose to pay using their mobile phone at the time of parking or pay online anytime up to midnight the day after their visit.

Blue badge holders will continue to park for free, provided they register with NCP either online or by phone up within 24 hours of leaving the car park.

The technology is available at Colchester, Marks Tey, Manningtree, Witham, Kelvedon and Hatfield Peverel.

NCP’s Contract Manager, Mark Kraft, said: “We understand that for the majority of customers using these sites, parking is just a small part of their journey and we want to make this a seamless an experience as possible.

“This is why we are significantly expanding the methods of payments, giving customers the ability to pay for their parking in a way and at a time that is most convenient for them.”

Simone Bailey, Greater Anglia Asset Management Director, said: “We know customers who drive to stations want to be able to park as quickly and easily as possible, which is why we’re committed to improving parking across the Greater Anglia network, making life a little easier for our customers.”

Each upgraded car park will also be able to provide customers with real time data on how many spaces there are via the Greater Anglia website and Great Anglia Parking Portal.