Is it just me, but is there a dearth of 10p coins in circulation?
For a considerable time, it's been very obvious that my constantly changing collection of change has consisted of all the other denominations - but there is rarely a 10p in sight. This can be a problem, as these days many parking meters don't accept 5p (and I don't think any accept 1p and 2p).
May be no connection, but there was a letter in our local paper last week complaining that the machine for a toll bridge only took 10, 20 aned 50p coins, not 5p. So perhaps he, too, had this problem.
Certainly the M6 toll motorway doesn't accept 5p coins. Also, last year, I came across a carpark where a notice on the pay-and-display meters claimed that they "didn't accept the new type of 10p" (whatever that means). Despite this, my nice shiny 2011 10ps seemed to work OK.
The meters on one of the streets in High Wycombe (where I used to park before they moved Marks and Spencer) actually did this. Although the notice implied that you were charged in hourly increments, it in fact dispensed a ticket indicating a pro rata expiry time.
However, there is undoubtedly a cunning science applied on to how parking time should be charged in order to maximise the income. The first criterion is (obviously) that no change is given. The second is that the minimum parking time is just that little bit too short for you to be sure that you will be back in time, and will therefore have to pay for two increments. The third is that the average user is likely to be back just into the second increment, so the meter having collected the payment for two increments, most of the second is not needed, so the parking bay then becomes free for the next user (and further payment).
I live in a low crime area too. However stuff does get nicked. I guess some crims target 'nice' areas deliberately. Probably because there's good stuff to nick and people are less careful.
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