Six "free" cash machines in Rotherham set for charges

Cardtronics confirmed it would impose charges on “unsustainable” ATMs in the town, although it would not say which ones.

MP Sarah Champion said she was concerned by the news and has written to the Payment Systems Regulator to urge them to take action to prevent the loss of more free-to-use cashpoints.

Cardtronics and the MP both crticised the decision of major banks using the LINK system to cut their fees to the likes of Cardtronics by five per cent from January 1.

In July last year, LINK imposed a cut in the fees banks pay when their cardholders withdraw cash from an ATM which is not their own, and a second cut came into effect in January.

Ms Champion said: “I am really concerned that cuts to fees may leave a number of cash machines uneconomical and force operators to charge a fee, or to remove machines entirely. 

“We have already seen closures of bank branches in Rotherham. 

“The loss of cash machines on top of this will make it even more difficult for my constituents to access their own money.’

“LINK claims the cut in rates is in response to the increasing use of alternative payment methods.

“But many people, especially older or vulnerable people, remain reliant upon cash. “Smaller businesses also deal overwhelmingly in cash and these changes could have a serious effect on them.”

She called on the regular “to ensure that systems work for consumers, as well as for business,” adding: “I hope that they will take action and prevent further losses in Rotherham.”

A spokesperson from Cardtronics said the cuts in LINK fees “mean that some of our machines are unsustainable as free-to-use and we are therefore left with the option to remove the machine or introduce a small fee”.

She added: “We cannot discuss individual ATMs and their contractual status in public. “However, what is clear is that the banks are not prepared to provide this service to consumers and the cuts, alongside their strategy of branch closures, and removal of ATMs are endangering free-to-use ATMs up and down the country.”

Cardtronics called for the Payment Systems Regulator and the Financial Conduct Authority to “find a sustainable long-term solution”, warning: “Otherwise, we will lose more free ATMs in future.”