Motorists have been offered a lifeline after a London borough unveiled a new parking scheme, which could save drivers millions.
The move comes after Westminster Council announced this week that drivers will now be able to choose between three apps when paying to park.
Drivers will be able to choose from RingGo, JustPark and PayByPhone, with the new project marking the first London borough to introduce this kind of multi-operator model.
Previously, residents had been forced to contribute roughly £1.2million a year through council tax to cover transaction costs in parking, even though only four per cent of parking sessions were made by local drivers.
Under the new scheme, these costs will be passed on to visitors, with the council stating that this will free up money for investment elsewhere.
Councillor Max Sullivan said: “We’re proud to launch this new parking scheme, which offers more choice for drivers and a better deal for residents.
“By introducing competition between providers, we’re keeping costs down and ensuring that more of the money raised from parking goes straight back into improving transport. That means cleaner, safer streets, better public transport, and more investment in making Westminster a healthier, greener place to live.”
The change comes just months after the Government confirmed a nationwide overhaul of parking, with the British Parking Association (BPA) set to deliver a National Parking Platform that will allow drivers to pay for parking across the country with their preferred app.
Drivers will now have the chance to pay for parking with three different providers
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GETTYTransport Minister Lilian Greenwood said in May: “This Government is on the side of drivers and dedicated to giving everyone simpler, more flexible parking.
“I’m delighted that this fantastic project is being taken on by the parking sector with no extra cost to taxpayers.”
Before the parking app change was announced, the Department for Transport trialled the measure in 10 different councils, with the move proving successful among drivers.
The all-in-one app will be launched nationwide, offering drivers “a simpler, more seamless” parking experience, the DfT stated.
Westminster Council announced new parking measures this week
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GETTYParking providers welcomed the new parking update in Westminster, pointing out that most drivers already use their phones to pay.
Research shows that more than 22 million motorists have registered with RingGo, while JustPark and PayByPhone have also been growing in usage.
Jonathan Hampson, chief commercial officer at JustPark, said: “We’re proud to be working with Westminster to give drivers more choice when it comes to parking.
“By coupling our Park & Pay solution with our Reservations offering, JustPark will ensure drivers in Westminster get the flexibility they need – whether it’s for a quick stop or a longer stay.”
The new parking change will benefit residents across Westminster who were paying more council tax
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GETTYMeanwhile, Rebecca Maisey, UK Commercial Director for PayByPhone, added that their app will “simplify the parking experience for residents and visitors alike.”
Christopher Head, Regional Director for the UK and Ireland at Arrive, shared: “With multiple London boroughs due to adopt the National Parking Platform in the coming months, it is great to see the City of Westminster offering users a broader range of options for mobile parking payments.”
He said that the group is committed to supporting efforts that make central London “more liveable and improve the parking experience for the millions of drivers on the borough’s roads”.
Andrew Pester, BPA Chief Executive, explained that the National Parking Platform was the “result of six years of work” and a “huge step forward in making parking easier for everyone”.