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Parking meters ‘make more than some workers’
THE council has been accused of pricing poor people out of the borough.
The Labour group criticised the council for “exorbitant” parking charges, saying they disproportionately penalise lower-paid residents in the borough.
Motorists driving into the West End at the weekend may have to stump up as much as £20 for a few hours parking in a multi-storey car park.
Leader of the Labour group, Paul Dimoldenberg said: “Westminster Conservatives are responsible for the highest charges in the country and at £9.50 an hour the council’s car parks and parking meters are earning more than many low-paid council workers.
“Many Westminster residents have to pay these exorbitant parking charges when they travel outside their home parking zone to park in other parts of their own borough.
He added: “There needs to be fundamental review of Westminster’s parking system to give residents a better deal so that they can park in other parts of their own borough with having to pay up to £9.50 an hour.”
But parking chiefs at the council defended their policy, saying it is an effective measure in tackling congestion and not a money-making ruse.
Director of parking Alastair Gilchrist said: “Every day the population of Westminster swells by one million people and so it is hardly surprising that there is such a great pressure on parking in the city.
“As a local authority, we are legally not allowed to make a profit from our parking services. Every single penny of surplus income collected from parking in Westminster is ploughed straight back into major transport projects.
“Our street parking charges have remained at the same level for the last five years and we have saved a further £5 million by tackling parking meter theft in the borough.” |
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