PARKING rules at Ryde Pier are changing, with Wightlink installing number plate recognition cameras and new ticket machines.

From Tuesday, June 26, the new rules will come into play, with four new ticket machines replacing the three old ones, each taking payment by cash or card.

Customers will also be able to pay using their mobile phones by registering with RingGo mobile phone app.

Wightlink have said that car parking charges will not increase for the rest of 2018.

Business development director Clive Tilley said: “We are responding to customer feedback by giving people travelling on the FastCats a choice of payment methods, whether they are crossing the Solent for a few hours or a weekend."

From June 26, drivers can wait on the pier for up to 20 minutes free to pick up or drop off travellers — after paying the £1 pier toll, which finances repairs and maintenance.

Currently drivers can wait for an hour. Wightlink said this change was made to free up more parking spaces for customers.

From that date, it will not be possible to pay for car parking at Wightlink’s ticket office for stays of less than 24 hours, as customers will have alternative ways to pay.

Parking on the pier is still free for motorcycles and bicycles.

At Fishbourne, parking systems are unchanged, but the ticket machine will be upgraded in the near future.