News: Westminster scraps off-peak parking charges
- Date: 19/01/2012
- Source: Poppleston Allen
- Author/Solicitor: Jonathan Smith
Westminster Council has scrapped plans for evening and weekend parking charges in the West End.
The charges had already been put on hold following a High Court ruling last month that allowed for a judicial review of the plans.
The council had previously argued that tighter parking restrictions were needed to combat traffic congestion around the West End. Restriction proposals included charging as much as £4.40 an hour for street parking on evenings and Sundays. However the council was persuaded by those opposed to the restrictions that the wider economy, both in the West End and its neighbours, is just as important as the traffic management considerations on which the original decision was based. Those opposed to the parking measures estimated that £800m could be lost from the West End economy and 5,000 jobs eroded as the result of the policy.
The council will now set up an independent commission, including members of the business community, to come up with alternative solutions to 'support business, lessen congestion and improve quality of life for residents'.
The council's decision will no doubt come as a welcome relief and a little piece of good news for operators in the area.
For more information please contact Jonathan Smith
