A WOMAN with a hearing impairment says she fears being fined while parking in Barnet because she cannot use the new pay-by-phone payment system.

Mother-of-four Danielle Amdur, says so far she has been “lucky” to escape a ticket after putting notes in her car windscreen explaining she cannot hear the automated instructions for the service.

Barnet Council’s parking supremo Councillor Brian Coleman says he wants to take the borough completely cashless, citing the controversial new system as the future of parking.

However, this means people are now unable to use many parking meters in town centres, leaving them having to pay over the phone.

Trades in Temple Fortune have already hit out at the new scheme, saying it has damaged their trade by 20 per cent and many elderly people who are regular customers are unable to use it.

The Waverley Grove, Finchley, resident, told the Times Series: “I go to Temple Fortune at least once a week to get my hair done and get my son’s prescription, but none of the machines work.

“It’s not that I don’t have the means or will to pay, it’s quite simply I can’t. A couple of times friends have helped me, but when I’m on my own it’s not possible.

“It feels like the council hasn’t thought about people like me when pushing through this policy. It’s affecting a lot of people and putting them off parking altogether.”

A statement from Barnet Council said there is an option for residents to pay for parking by text message, which it added customers can register for via the council website.

However, Mrs Amadur said she had tried to use the text service published on the side of the machines but had not received a reply to her initial text.

She added: “If I could pay by text it would be no problem, but this hasn’t worked for me.

“It means I either have to go after the restrictions are not in use, which is when my children are at home and not practicable, or pray I don’t get a ticket. It’s not right.”