A car park on Front Street will be partly closed while a barrier system is installed.

A City of Hamilton spokeswoman said work at the Number 5 car park will start on or about February 22 and continue until April.

The new barrier system will be similar to those already installed at other city car parks, which allow ticketed entry and exit.

Patrick Cooper, a city engineer, said: “There are a number of benefits to having a barrier system in place at the city’s car parks.

“One of those benefits is ease of payment, with drivers only paying for actual time stayed and eliminating the need to display a ticket or the need to constantly top-up a device.

“The barrier system provides a standardised – and therefore familiar – user experience around the world and offers an increased sense of security for car park users.

“Additionally, a barrier system prevents a car park from becoming overfilled and potentially dangerous.”

Mr Cooper added that barriers also stopped “through traffic” using a car park as a short cut to another street.

He said: “It also eliminates the need to have extra staff patrolling the car parks to ticket those who have not paid, which means that city funds and attention can be put elsewhere of benefit to the community.”