LINK, the UK’s main cash machine network, has announced funding will be made available to protect free access to cash.

The company claimed that if a high street could lose an ATM or Post Office, it will step in to ensure that an ATM is made available. Furthermore, it will be paid for with funding from all of the UK’s main banks and building societies.

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In addition, LINK announced that, for the first time, it will directly commission free-to-use ATMs in communities with poor access to cash.

Over the coming months, and with the support of local MPs and councils, ATMs will be installed in Battle, East Sussex, Bungay, Suffolk, Hill Top in Nuneaton, Tywyn in Wales, and Durness in Scotland. The locations will form a restricted trial that will run through 2020.

LINK CEO John Howells said: “LINK is determined to defend free access to cash across the UK in the face of very rapidly declining cash use. Today’s action will protect consumers whilst much needed industry reforms to move to a more sustainable utility infrastructure take place.”

LINK: Free cash on the freefall?

In the first four months of 2019, there was a decline in LINK cash withdrawals of 8.7% in London. This was followed by the South East (7.9%) and South West (7.7%). The smallest declines were in the North East (3.7%), Northern Ireland (4.6%), and Yorkshire (4.9%). Scotland saw a decrease of 5.4% and Wales saw a drop of 5% in usage.

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In addition, LINK saw a decline in balance enquiries. More customers chose to use online and mobile banking as balance enquiries dropped 18% between 2016 and 2019.

There has been a steady decline in usage of LINK services. LINK volumes peaked in 2016 and in value in 2017.

Furthermore, in the first six months of 2019, LINK transactions were 8% lower than in the same period in 2018. The total value of cash withdrawn also dropped, but less so.

Furthermore, the reduction in LINK transactions is expected to be between 9% and 10% for 2019 compared to 2018.