Westminster considers ‘easyJet’-style parking fees

12 September 2007

A novel parking scheme based on the business principles behind low-cost budget airlines could be introduced in central London.

Westminster City Council is examining plans for an ‘easyJet’-style parking scheme where ticket prices would increase as the number of empty spaces declines. Motorists who arrive when a car park is empty could pay as little as 50p an hour or £3.99 a day, with prices increasing to a maximum £3.50 an hour and £33 a day.

This compares with the current average cost of £20 a day and £4 an hour in the West End. However, unlike booking flights, motorists would not have the luxury of booking in advance. The price to park would be advertised by a large digital sign at the entrance of the car park, and would vary regularly during busy periods of the day.

Parking consultant, Ian Betts, has questioned whether motorists would take the risk, given the uncertainties involved. ‘We can’t equate it to how easyJet operates. Motorists wouldn’t be able to book a cheap ticket in advance if they planned a shopping trip in a few weeks time. It’s more of a lottery, and people often don’t like uncertainty,’ he told Surveyor.

He also questioned the impact it would have on congestion. However, a Westminster spokesman said the council was not aiming to increase the number of motorists coming into central London, but encourage existing drivers to use its car parks instead of its competitors’. He said Westminster had seen a 12% drop in cars parking in the council’s car parks since the western expansion of the congestion zone earlier this year, and was keen to boost revenue.

The council is considering whether to trial the scheme in Knightsbridge early next year and, if a three-month pilot proves successful, the charging system could be rolled out across the rest of Westminster by the end of the year.

Cllr Danny Chalkley, Westminster’s cabinet member for economic development and transportation, said: ‘We know many drivers in London are put off by expensive parking charges. ‘This new way of charging will allow us to reduce prices by encouraging more people to park in our car parks.’

A decision is likely to be made this autumn.

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