Cashless parking to go Westminster wide (15/02/2008)

Westminster moves a step closer to cashless parking throughout the borough this weekend (16/17th Feb).

Over the next two days Westminster Council is rolling out its cashless parking scheme across the final corners of the city.

Within a fortnight motorists parking on Westminster’s streets will be able to pay by credit card or mobile phone where ever they are in the borough.

Starting this weekend, the council will be installing its chip and pin machines and pay-by-phone provision in the very heart of central Westminster, St James’ Park and residential areas such as Maida Vale and St John’s Wood.

Coin meters will remain in these areas until later in the year, when the remaining iconic parking meters will be removed.

The final roll out of the scheme comes as new figures reveal that more than 200,000 motorists have now signed up to the system.

In the last three months, an average of 1,200 drivers every week have registered with the cashless initiative either online or at the roadside.

Cashless parking gives motorists a coin-free way of paying and they are also able to top-up their parking allowance on the move without returning to their vehicles, helping them to avoid unnecessary fines.

Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Transport, Cllr Danny Chalkley, said:

“This is an important milestone which takes us one step closer to cashless parking.

“The move to a convenient cashless system is the way forward for street parking and I’m pleased to give motorists the opportunity to use the service where ever they are in Westminster, for the very first time."

Last month Westminster Council recorded the millionth cashless parking transaction and the scheme was extended to other parts of the city including Knightsbridge, Belgravia and Pimlico.

Meters and Pay and Display machines will continue to stay in use in these new areas with the cashless system being temporarily offered as an additional service.

The council aims to no longer accept coins on street anywhere in Westminster by December 2008. Pay by Phone parking is part of Westminster's cashless parking scheme which also includes Chip and Pin pay and display machines.

Cashless parking is already available in Covent Garden, Soho, Mayfair, St James, Marylebone, Bayswater, Fitzrovia, and the area north of Harrow Road.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The latest roll out of cashless parking extends to central Westminster (Victoria Street, Millbank, Horseferry Road, St James’ Park) and north Westminster (Harrow Road, Bayswater Road, Marylebone Road, Warwick Avenue, Maida Vale and Prince Albert Road).

Westminster Council has made improvements to the way new customers register. Motorists using the service for the first time will now be able to speak to an operator to provide their details as well as register online or using the automated system.

As of January 31 207,243 motorists registered with cashless parking.

Instead of having to put money in a meter or a Pay and Display machine, under the cashless parking scheme drivers use their mobile phone and the parking charge is charged to their credit or debit card.

In December last year a survey of 11,000 cashless parking customers was carried out and figures showed approximately two thirds of customers were satisfied with the service and found it easy to use.