Ealing stop and shop parking scheme to be revamped

People seeking flats to rent in Ealing could be set to benefit from the introduction of an enhanced stop and shop parking scheme in the local area.

Ealing Council is planning to introduce a new initiative that will allow drivers to use stop and shop bays for longer, improving on the current free parking provision, which varies from five minutes to two hours.

Under the council's new plans, motorists will be able to extend their stay using the council's pay by phone service, meaning they will not need to return to their cars and can simply carry on shopping.

This lets them stay for an additional two hours in selected stop and shop bays for a flat fee of £1.80, plus a service charge of 20p, while those who wish to continue using the bays as before will be able to do so.

A formal consultation on the plans - which are designed to help out local businesses and attract more shoppers to the Ealing area - will take place in the near future.

Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport and the environment, said: "Businesses have told us that the limits mean that customers sometimes cut their shopping time short to move their car.

"By giving motorists the option to park for longer it means that they can use their phone in the restaurant, pharmacy or hairdressers or wherever they are without having to run back to the car."

The councillor noted that the maintenance of time limits on these bays will mean they will still be able to maintain their original purpose of preventing people from parking in and occupying spots all day, thereby encouraging high customer turnover.

This comes in the same week the council plans to meet with local businesses in order to discuss what other measures are being introduced in Ealing to create better trading conditions and encourage prosperity.

Posted by Ben Carter

Published 13th February, 2012

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