Reading Borough Council’s recent move to scrap cash and card payments for parking in favour of RingGo-only app payments isn’t just inconvenient — it’s verging on the ridiculous.

Across the town, parking machines have been “covered” — not with proper signage or professional notices — but with what look like black bin bags and hastily stuck-on paper notes held in place with bits of sellotape. These make-do signs read: “This machine is only accepting RingGo payments. Location code…” as if that explains everything.

Frankly, it’s comical — if not insulting. This slapdash presentation makes a mockery of a serious change that impacts thousands of residents, workers, and visitors.

The council claims the shift will save money, cutting annual costs from £44,000 to a leaner £29,000 by removing cash collection and maintenance fees. But what about the cost to the public?

Not everyone owns a smartphone. Not everyone is comfortable navigating apps or calling an automated line to pay for a simple parking space. This move sidelines the elderly, the less tech-savvy, and anyone without reliable access to mobile data and tourists unfamiliar with the app.

Worse still, these makeshift signs — flimsy bits of paper stuck to bin bags — give the impression of a temporary issue, not a carefully considered, permanent change. It’s a poor substitute for clear communication and thoughtful planning.

Yes, the council wants to modernise and save money. But that shouldn’t come at the expense of accessibility and common sense. Reading deserves a parking system that works for everyone — not just those who have the right app and enough battery.

If the council insists on digital-first, it must still provide physical, well-marked options and a respectful transition. Bin bags and sellotape won’t cut it.

Reading Borough Council has confirmed that changes to bin collection days will come into effect from Monday 9 June, and every household in the borough will be affected in some way.

For some residents, the update will mean a full shift in their collection schedule, including a swap between grey and red bin weeks and potentially a new day of the week. Others may keep their current week rotation, but will still see their collection day change.

Despite the reshuffle, the overall frequency of collections remains the same: food waste will continue to be picked up weekly, and grey (residual waste) and red (recycling) bins will still alternate every other week.

The Council says these changes will help improve the reliability and efficiency of the service. Going forward, only one type of waste—either recycling or residual—will be collected across the borough each day. This focused approach means the Council can respond more quickly to staff or vehicle shortages, helping to avoid missed collections.

The new structure also prepares Reading’s waste services for the future. It creates room for the introduction of new kerbside collections—like glass recycling—once those are launched. It’s also a step toward managing the rising demand brought on by new housing and a growing population.

Residents will be able to check their updated collection schedules online soon. In addition, everyone will receive a leaflet through the post in late May that includes a printed calendar showing their new bin days—so it’s worth keeping an eye out for that.

To help keep track of the changes, the Council is recommending the free Scrapp app, available from any phone app store. Once installed, users can enter their address and enable reminders the night before each collection. After selecting “England” and then “Reading Borough Council,” users will see the ‘Bin Reminders’ option on the homepage, where they can tap to subscribe.

Last year, Thames Water pumped over 298,000 hours worth of sewage into waterways, according to new data published recently. 

In Reading, residents are increasingly concerned about the spoiling of our waterways, such as the River Thames.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for the government to replace Ofwat with a new regulator with proper enforcement powers to hold water companies accountable and stop the sewage scandal. 

Councillor James Moore, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Reading Borough Council, said: 

“Here in Reading, residents are appalled by what’s happening to our local waterways whilst facing sky-high water bills. 

“The Government should act now to get a new regulator in place to protect British rivers and seas from being pumped with disgusting sewage. Ofwat must go. 

“I and the Liberal Democrats will continue to protect our local waterways and fight for much tougher regulation of a water industry which is profiting from pollution.”