Westminster Council declares a fine free Easter for motorists (19/03/2008)

Motorists in central London can celebrate the Easter bank holiday with four days of free parking across Westminster.

For the first time ever- Westminster Council will be shutting down its CCTV parking enforcement and pay-by-phone service across the bank holiday weekend- including on Saturday.

For the four day holiday period ‘free’ parking stickers will be plastered across Westminster’s remaining parking meters and pay and display machines and a blind eye will be turned to vehicles parked on a single yellow line.

Parking attendants across the city will also not be enforcing our week day parking rules allowing thousands of motorists to park for free in one of Westminster's 7,000 on-street bays.

The offer is an attempt to make the parking rules simple and easy for motorists who sometimes misunderstand when the holiday parking period begins and ends - resulting in unwanted fines.

The council also hopes introducing relaxed rules for the first time on the Saturday will enable residents and visitors greater freedom to park over the holiday period.

Alastair Gilchrist, Westminster City Council’s Director of Parking:

"This is the first time we have declared a parking holiday across the whole Easter period.

“Every year, motorists are caught out as they are not fully sure if the Saturday is a holiday or not. I hope this avoids any confusion and drivers make the most of the relaxed rules over this period.”

The offer applies to all paid for bays, including meter, pay by phone and pay and display bays where Sunday rules will now apply instead. Those wishing to park in residents bays are advised to check the nearby sign for guidance on Sunday regulations, which apply from March 21 to March 24.

The offer does not apply to Westminster Council's car parks.

Motorists can check Westminster Council's website for further guidance at http://www.westminster.gov.uk/parking/

ENDS