AppyParking’s Smart City Parking solution is now fully available to Harrogate residents.

The kerbside management and smart parking technology company’s app allows users to check for parking spaces near their destination and to automatically pay for them on a per minute basis.

The Smart City Parking solution integrates technical capabilities such as smart parking sensors, automatic number plate recognition barriers and sensor-enabled payments.

Through the service, the councils also have access to an analytics dashboard which shows parking utilisation data.

This means local authorities will be able to view parking heatmaps and demand flows, and generally gain a better understanding of how their parking assets are consumed.

AppyParking’s ambition is for this insight to inform traffic planning, parking infrastructure, help stimulate the high street and prepare cities for a future of connected and automated vehicles.

Dan Hubert, CEO and founder of AppyParking, said: “We’re so excited to be helping local residents and visitors save time finding and paying for parking in Harrogate.

“Delivering this project is testament to the positive relationships we’ve formed with forward-thinking and supportive partners like Visa, Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

“We know these are challenging times for local authorities and we’re passionate about creating business models and solutions that work for everyone.

“We’re eager to see how the data we surface through our analytics portal is used by councils and look forward to bringing our service to more towns and cities in the UK later this year.”

Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for sustainable transport, said: "We want to make parking easier and more convenient for people, as well as providing a parking solution that helps encourage people to visit Harrogate town centre.

"These days so many services and payments are carried out on a smartphone, it’s only right that parking is part of that.

"Gone will be the days of running back to your car just before your ticket runs out. It also supports the key priorities of our plan to build a strong local economy, provide excellent public services as well as a sustainable environment.”