London Parking Meters

Friday, March 5th, 2010

All around the streets of London you will find four-foot high automated parking guardians, called parking meters. Most streets in Central London with parking bays marked out have these automatic parking attendants next to them, ready to time your stay to the minute. You are only permitted to use some meters for a designated amount of time and the details will be marked on the meter. They will also state the times when you need to pay to use them and when you can park for free. Parking meters become free after a certain time in the evening and at various times on weekends in most areas, so make sure to check before paying, as you could save yourself a few pounds.

If you think all this sounds like a lot of hassle just to park a car, then you would be right. London is one of the most congested cities in Europe and London parking space really is at a premium. However, as public transport fares continue to increase despite the economic downturn, hard pressed commuters are steadily returning to their vehicles to get to work in the capital.

One option now available to London commuters is to book parking in advance with a long term parking company. 24 7 is one such company, providing affordable, long term parking in London which is supervised by security guards and CCTV. Whether you are looking for cheap parking in Barbican or long term parking in Mayfair, 24 7 Parking can help. For more information, visit www.247parking.com and contact us today.

Driving And Parking In London

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

London is the largest city in Europe and as such is an intimidating, and even aggressive place for driving. Like the rest of the UK, speed limits are 30 mph in urban areas, 60 mph on roads away from built-up areas and 70 mph on motorways. However, unlike much of the rest of the UK, local authorities in London get huge revenues from parking fees and fines, making the capital a very expensive and difficult city to park your vehicle in. On most roads, parking is restricted between 8am-6:30pm weekdays and 8am-1:30pm Saturdays. This isn’t much use if you need a regular parking space nearby for work or other reasons.

Be sure to check the parking restriction signs usually found on light posts before you park your car. If you are parking in Central London, you will often find that traffic wardens appear from nowhere as soon as you have parked and left your car. If your vehicle is not parked legally, you may find that a yellow fine notice has been left on your windscreen or that your car has been wheel-clamped; if the case is severe enough, it is even possible for your car to be towed away.

A good option to take the hassle out of parking in London is to use a long term parking company and book parking beforehand. 24 7 Parking provide affordable, long term parking in London, supervised by CCTV and security guards. Whether you are looking for cheap parking in Barbican or long term parking in Bayswater, 24 7 Parking can help. For more information or to book parking, visit www.247parking.com and contact us today.

Parking In London? Book It First

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

With the introduction of the Congestion Charge, many motorists now think twice before driving and parking in Central London. London is well served by public transport and most people travelling to and around London choose to use the train, underground or bus. However, should you choose to drive, you may want to consider securing a parking space before your journey, especially if you need a daily space. Searching through London traffic for available parking is easily the worst aspect about driving in the capital. Car parking in London is generally near main transport hubs, and the car parks are usually quite expensive to park in.

National Car Parks (NCP) are also available in many areas around London and are usually multi-storey car parks, which can also be quite expensive to park in. In Central London, most of the streets have marked out bays where you can park your vehicle, as long as you pay using one of the parking meters. However, most of these only allow parking for a maximum of two or three hours. The only time they are free to use is in the evening, normally after 6.30pm; completely useless if you need to park there from 9am-5pm, or longer.

If you do decide to drive to and around London then a sensible option is to use a long term parking company, and book parking beforehand. 24 7 Parking provide long term and affordable parking in London, covered by CCTV and security guards. Whether you are looking for cheap parking in Knightsbridge or long term parking in Waterloo, 24 7 Parking can help you. For more information visit www.247parking.com and contact us today.

Problem Parking In London

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Problem with parking?

Parking in Central London can be a stressful and expensive experience at the best of times. Traffic wardens patrol their areas like sharks and are renowned to be every bit as vicious. There are meters in and around Central London and prices rise ever higher, the nearer you get to the centre.  Another option is to leave your vehicle in one of the city’s 24-hour multi-storey car parks, which can sometimes work out cheaper than meters, depending on its location. In the evening and at certain times at the weekend, you can park for free on single yellow lines and some parking meters are free, assuming you can find the space. But what help is this if you frequently drive in to London and need to park your car in rush hours and other busy office hours?

Parking Solution

There is a viable solution to securing long term parking in London, and that is to use a company who are able to provide a safe and secure car park at an affordable price. 24 7 Parking can provide long term parking in London that is covered by CCTV and security guards, which will not cost a small fortune either. Whether you are a banker looking for parking at Canary Wharf or a shop worker needing Oxford street parking, 24 7 parking can help you as we are the market leaders of the London parking market. With a number of great cheap options for long term parking available in and outside of the Congestion Charge zone, visit www.247parking.com and contact us today.

Legally Parking In London

Monday, March 1st, 2010

London is a very difficult city for motorists to park their vehicle in. Aside from the congestion charge and the lack of spaces generally, there are also a range of measures that the local councils use to patrol their boroughs for London parking violations.

Traffic Wardens

Instantly identifiable and somewhat universally disliked, Traffic Wardens are officially known as Parking Attendants (PAs) and enforce parking regulations on foot. When they find a vehicle they believe to be parked illegally, they will issue a parking ticket. This will either be fixed to the vehicle or handed to the driver if present. This is particularly likely to occur with parking in Central London; the busiest area in the country.

Fixed CCTV cameras

Some London parking and traffic infringements are enforced using fixed CCTV cameras. A parking ticket issued using a CCTV camera is sent by post to the person registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) as being the keeper of the vehicle. A CCTV-issued ticket will contain a photograph of the alleged infringement.

Mobile CCTV

Mobile CCTV units in cars are also frequently used to enforce parking and traffic regulations. These are mainly used in areas where traffic is congested and where public safety is a potential risk.

Avoid dealing with potential headaches like these by booking London parking in advance with a long term parking company. 24 7 Parking can provide long term parking in London which is affordable and secure. Whether you are looking for cheap parking in Canary Wharf or long term parking in Bayswater, 24 7 Parking can help. For more information or to book online, visit www.247parking.com and contact us today.