New coins 'may puzzle drivers'

19/01/12

By Natalie Thomas

Customers could become confused when trying to put new five pence and 10 pence pieces into payphones and parking meters, industry experts have warned.

The new tender is the same size and weight as it used to be, but is slightly thicker.

So while there are machines which have been given an upgrade and accept both old and new coins, there are some which only accept the old versions, and may stop taking any small change.

The new five and 10 pence pieces are being made from this month, and will be introduced into circulation gradually, with their first appearance expected to be in the spring.

Cheaper nickel-plated steel is being used instead of copper and nickel, but there are worries that people may think an unchanged machine is broken if they are not aware they have a new coin.

Chairman of the Local Government Association economy and transport board, Councillor Peter Box, said in November that parking meters should be upgraded.

He said: "Motorists may also be inconvenienced in areas where authorities cannot afford the expensive upgrades as their parking machines will no longer be able to accept 5p and 10p coins."

A British Parking Association spokeswoman said: "We have been actively encouraging our members, including local authorities and private operators, to make the necessary alterations to their machinery."