CASH remains king for drivers looking for parking spots, according to the AA.

The motoring organisation’s survey of 16,000 members suggests seven out of 10 would look for parking elsewhere rather than use the “pay-by-phone” meters.

It says people are put off by administration fees and voice-controlled phone payment systems.

Nearly eight in 10 pensioners who responded to the AA survey said they would drive on rather than use them, the same proportion as drivers on low incomes.

However, East Hampshire District Council, which owns and operates car parking sites across the district, and charges in Alton and Petersfield, agrees with the majority of local authorities that paying by phone and card is a quick and convenient option.

While there is a cost involved in remote payments, and they can delay other users, EHDC believes it is a system that works.

An EHDC spokesman said: “Since the RingGo system was introduced in December 2016 we have not had any concerns raised to us about the length of time it takes. The system has proven increasingly popular, with users across the district paying by phone about 4,000 times a month and paying by card 6,000 times a month.

“There is a 20p charge for using the phone system and 22p to pay by card. Users can opt for a text reminder of when their session will expire for another 10p.”

However, AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens said providers could merely be making it more difficult to purchase a parking ticket.

“Not only can it be a struggle to find a space but now, when you do find one, you may be required to talk to an automated system to pay the charge – not ideal if you have an appointment or just want to get in and get out quickly,” he said.

“All providers should make it easier to pay for parking.

“Not everyone has a smartphone to pay via an app and not everyone is keen to talk to a robot to pay for an hour’s stay. For the elderly and low-income drivers, pay-by-phone feels almost discriminatory.”

The AA argues that, while many drivers prefer to use cash, there was disgruntlement that some parking machines did not accept the new 12-sided £1 coin and others did not give change. A spokesman for the Local Government Association, which represents local authorities, said: “Councils offer a variety of ways to pay for parking, and paying by phone can be a quick and convenient way to do so.

“As the AA’s own research shows, 76 per cent of councils in England have converted the parking machines they are responsible for to accept the new £1 coin. Others are well on the way towards doing so.

“Having a range of options to pay for parking, for residents and visitors, is the best way for councils to serve the needs of their communities.”