A new online service to deal with car parking issues has been launched by St Albans district council.

The Parking Hub is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year and deals with transactions as well as providing essential information. It is now the place where people can apply for residents’ permits and visitor vouchers or to check details about parking restrictions.

Visitors to the site will also be able to apply for suspensions, challenge or pay parking tickets, inquire about public car parks, view parking consultations, obtain contact details for parking queries and find out how to request parking controls in their street.

The modernised service will replace the Parking Shop at the Drovers Way car park in St Albans, which is due to close on Monday, June 5.

Cllr Beric Read, portfolio holder for community engagement and localism, said: “This is an exciting development which makes it much easier for residents to sort out parking issues. The Parking Shop has served us well, but it is now outdated.

“With the new service, there is no need to make a specific trip to the city centre and instant payment is accepted.”

Arrangements have also been made to help those who do not use online services, entitling them to use computers for free at six locations around the district including public libraries and the Civic Centre. The six locations are St Albans Civic Centre and the libraries in Harpenden, London Colney, Redbourn, St Albans central, Marshalswick and Wheathampstead. Staff at the locations have been briefed to help. Cash payments will not be accepted for security reasons, but bank cards and postal orders will.

The Parking Hub can be viewed here http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/parking/default.aspx