Colchester: Co-op Rolls Out Talking Cash Machines

Talking cash machines for blind and partially-sighted people have been installed after a campaign by a man from Colchester.

More than 400 of the ATMs, which give spoken instructions, have gone live and over 2,000 machines should have the facility by the end of 2014, the Co-op said.

People can use the machines by plugging a headset into the ATM and the service will be open to Link and Visa card holders from all banks.

The service will eventually be made available in all the Co-op's bank branches and at most ATMs at Co-operative Food stores.

High-contrast screens are also being introduced to help partially-sighted customers.

The Co-op quoted one if its customers, named Mark Ellis, who has campaigned on the issue.

Mr Ellis, who is from Colchester, said: "I feel it's compulsory for banks to assist their blind or partially-sighted customers and I hope more will commit to launching the ATMs soon.''