Commuter survey

Friday, February 26th, 2010

While some UK local councils are raking in almost £7 million a year from parking tickets, hard-pressed business people commuting into Central London are paying around £500 on average every year in fines – and are now factoring this into their operating costs.

A survey of commuters carried out by the 247 Parking website found that people driving into central London not only have to pay the Congestion Charge but are increasingly forced to park illegally because of the sheer lack of street parking in central London. Parking tickets and wheel clamps for many have become an occupational hazard.

One London estate agent found herself in the unfortunate situation of getting six parking tickets in one day.

“I have to use the car for my work, showing clients around properties. Public transport just isn’t an option. The really annoying thing is that while I knew that I was parking in a risky place when I got the first ticket, every other time I was pretty sure I was parking legally. The final ticket I got after I had left the car for literally under five minutes,” says independent Estate Agent Monica Jenkins, 36, from Morden.

Some are even writing off the costs of parking tickets into their operating costs.

“Last year I paid around £700 in fines. I travel into Hammersmith regularly and parking is almost impossible. I’m afraid that I just accept parking fines as part of the cost of doing business in London,” says New Media Consultant Justin Webb, 36, of Maningtree.

With long-running engineering works set to affect the Northern Line, coupled with ongoing problems with commuter rail services, many people feel that they have no option but to drive into London. Strikes planned for February 5 and 14 will see a significant increase in road traffic into Central London.

A more affordable alternative to just living with parking tickets, however, is provided by 247 Parking. For over eight years 247 Parking has offered commuters and visitors affordable secure parking in or close to their destination. 

“Some business travellers think that parking is too expensive and too difficult to arrange and are therefore prepared to risk getting parking tickets,” says 247 Parking MD Julia Callan. “We offer a really easy to use and cheap service that can save drivers a lot of grief as well as a lot of money.”

The survey of 1215 respondents breaks down as follows:

1. Have you parked illegally in London in the past 6 months?

Yes      76 per cent

No      24 per cent

2. How many tickets have you had in the past six months?

None     11 per cent

One     29 per cent

Under five    54 per cent

Five to 10    4 per cent

More than 10    2 per cent

3. Have you successfully contested a parking ticket in the past year?

Yes     13 per cent

No     87 per cent

4. How often do you take your car into central London?

Never     11 per cent

Once a year    13 per cent

Once a year to once a month 26 per cent

Once a month to once a week 28 per cent

Every day    22 per cent

5. How much did you pay in parking fines last year?

£0     12 per cent

Less than £50   9 per cent

£50 – £100    11 per cent

£100 – £400    23 per cent

£400 – £500    23 per cent

£500 – £700    21 per cent

Over £700    1 per cent

About 24 7 Parking:
Established in 2002, 24 7 Parking are experts in finding car parking in London and across the UK. Whether clients are looking for a months’ parking or a years’ parking, 24 7 Parking will find the most convenient and cost effective options.
Contact details:

24 7 Parking Limited,
309 Linen Hall,
162-168 Regent Street,
London
W1B 5TD
Tel: 020 7183 7247
Email: info@247parking.com

Common sense beats car thefts

Friday, February 26th, 2010

With thefts from parked automobiles on the up, some people will go to the wildest extremes to protect their cars. In South Africa where the crime rate is notoriously high, some owners have taken to leaving pythons in their cars to deter thieves. And from the US we hear that one Florida resident was recently fined for having a hungry alligator in his car. Here in London, of course, it seldom gets more unusual that a vicious dog or two.

As animal lovers, we at 247 Parking cannot condone leaving animals cooped up in parked cars to deter opportunists from snatching your sat nav or your stereo. As car owners we can’t recommend it because…well let’s just say that cleaning the interior could be a tad unpleasant.
Some common sense is needed. Remove everything from your car, even coats, and stick it all in the boot. Install a car alarm. Register with Immobilise (www.immobilise.com) the free register of possession ownership details and display a sticker on your windscreen. Get a steering wheel lock. But above all else, park somewhere safe.

We at 247 Parking have been providing safe, secure and affordable parking in Central London and nationwide for nearly eight years. We can find you space in car parks or in safe residential and commercial zones where your vehicle will be safe.

“It’s mad to risk your car or its contents by parking at random in an area you don’t know. We feel that by taking responsibility for our own cars and their contents, we benefit other drivers.

Because if there are no easy pickings for car thieves then they’ll soon give up,” says 247 Parking MD Julia Callan. “As anyone who has had their car broken into will tell you, the hassle of dealing with police,  insurance and repairs far outweighs the inconvenience of spending a few moments to hide your property and secure your vehicle. And the cost of a secure block-booked parking space far outweighs increased insurance premiums.”

About 24 7 Parking:
Established in 2002, 24 7 Parking are experts in finding car parking in London and across the UK. Whether clients are looking for a months’ parking or a years’ parking, 24 7 Parking will find the most convenient and cost effective options.

Contact details:
24 7 Parking Limited,
309 Linen Hall,
162-168 Regent Street,
London
W1B 5TD
Tel: 020 7183 7247
Email: info@247parking.com

Affordable parking for York motorists, whatever congestion charges or road tolls are introduced

Friday, February 26th, 2010

With York the latest UK city to consider introducing either a London-style congestion charge or a combination of toll rods and parking levies on local businesses, many commuters are already looking at alternatives.

The City Of York Council is currently going through a period of consultation, looking at various schemes to avoid gridlock, predicted to make the city’s roads unusable over the next ten years.

According to Councillor Dave Merrett, chairman of of York Council’s cross-party traffic congestion scrutiny committee: “A radical future solution will be required if we are to avoid the further serious spread of congestion  outside the current problem areas, increasing delays and disruption to motorists and bus users, continuing air quality problems and negative effects on both the York economy and the quality of life in the city.”

But some local residents and commuters to the city are cynical about the Council’s consultation.

“They call it a consultation, but it’s a plan for yet another stealth tax on motorists. And whatever they say, whatever the opposition, you just know that they will go ahead with it. Public transport in York just isn’t up to the job of handling commuters, tourists and shoppers. If they force drivers off the roads with prohibitive charges, the damage to local businesses will be catastrophic,” one disgruntled driver told 24 7 Parking.

24 7 Parking has wide experience in sourcing parking spaces in London and has now rolled out its service across the UK, including in the City of York.

“Whatever decision York’s councillors come to, we are here for motorists,” says 247 Parking MD Julia Callan. “Although it makes sense to use public transport if you can, for many businessmen and tradesmen, there is no alternative to the car. If taxes are levied on existing parking places, we can find affordable alternative parking at a discount for York’s motorists. We can also find parking for motorists around the boundaries of the congestion charge or toll road zone. We have helped many London motorists beat high congestion charge and parking fees. York’s drivers should contact us as soon as possible.”

About 24 7 Parking:
Established in 2002, 24 7 Parking are experts in finding car parking in London and across the UK. Whether clients are looking for a months’ parking or a years’ parking, 24 7 Parking will find the most convenient and cost effective options.

Contact details:
24 7 Parking Limited,
309 Linen Hall,
162-168 Regent Street,
London
W1B 5TD
Tel: 020 7183 7247
Email: info@247parking.com

Half term discount parking in central London

Monday, February 8th, 2010

It seems that no sooner have the nation’s children been packed off to school than the half-term holidays come rolling around. For many working parents this presents a regular headache: taking time off work and keeping them entertained. With money tight, going away for the week isn’t always an option. This year many parents will be taking advantage of the attractions that the capital has to offer.

But in the wake of the tube strikes on February 14, traffic into Central London will be heavier than usual. And safe parking will be at a premium. That’s why we at 247 Parking will be offering a discount for the week February 15 to 19 for all new bookings in Central London.

“I have three children aged seven, three and two and struggling over to Kensington to visit the V&A, The Science Museum or The Natural History Museum on the bus or tube can be a nightmare. And I don’t want to think about getting back when they’re all tired! I have to drive,” says Helen Forrest, 33, of Wimbledon.

Fortunately as a 247 Parking customer, Helen has a regular space booked in the area where she works as an arts administrator.

“It’s a short walk from my parking space to the museums,” she says. “It’s one less thing about the day that I need to plan. I want to enjoy the time off that I spend with my children, not get wound up and angry worrying about where to leave the car.”

There probably isn’t a better place in the UK to find things to do, places to eat and sights to see than Central London. Having a pre-arranged parking spot takes a lot of the stress out of family outings as well as regular commuting.

Contact 247 Parking for further details of this limited offer.
NOTE TO EDITORS
24 7 Parking was established in late 2002 with the aim of becoming the leading marketing services provider to the car parking industry in the UK, and to be the leading de facto marketplace for buyers and sellers, or lessees and lessors, of car parking spaces.
The company is frequently consulted as an expert view on the parking sector by the media.
24 7 Parking is registered in the UK, and is wholly owned by its founding partners, management team and private investors.

Contact
Peter Cooper
0207 183 7274
http://www.247parking.com

Paying the price for parking

Monday, February 8th, 2010

While some UK local councils are raking in almost £7 million a year from parking tickets, hard-pressed business people commuting into Central London are paying around £500 on average every year in fines – and are now factoring this into their operating costs.

A survey of commuters carried out by the 247 Parking website found that people driving into central London not only have to pay the Congestion Charge but are increasingly forced to park illegally because of the sheer lack of street parking in central London. Parking tickets and wheel clamps for many have become an occupational hazard.

One London estate agent found herself in the unfortunate situation of getting six parking tickets in one day.

“I have to use the car for my work, showing clients around properties. Public transport just isn’t an option. The really annoying thing is that while I knew that I was parking in a risky place when I got the first ticket, every other time I was pretty sure I was parking legally. The final ticket I got after I had left the car for literally under five minutes,” says independent Estate Agent Monica Jenkins, 36, from Morden.

Some are even writing off the costs of parking tickets into their operating costs.

“Last year I paid around £700 in fines. I travel into Hammersmith regularly and parking is almost impossible. I’m afraid that I just accept parking fines as part of the cost of doing business in London,” says New Media Consultant Justin Webb, 36, of Maningtree.

With long-running engineering works set to affect the Northern Line, coupled with ongoing problems with commuter rail services, many people feel that they have no option but to drive into London. Strikes planned for February 5 and 14 will see a significant increase in road traffic into Central London.

A more affordable alternative to just living with parking tickets, however, is provided by 247 Parking. For over eight years 247 Parking has offered commuters and visitors affordable secure parking in or close to their destination.

“Some business travellers think that parking is too expensive and too difficult to arrange and are therefore prepared to risk getting parking tickets,” says 247 Parking MD Julia Callan. “We offer a really easy to use and cheap service that can save drivers a lot of grief as well as a lot of money.”

The survey of 1215 respondents breaks down as follows:

1. Have you parked illegally in London in the past 6 months?

Yes      76 per cent
No      24 per cent

2. How many tickets have you had in the past six months?

None     11 per cent
One     29 per cent
Under five    54 per cent
Five to 10    4 per cent
More than 10    2 per cent

3. Have you successfully contested a parking ticket in the past year?

Yes     13 per cent
No     87 per cent

4. How often do you take your car into central London?

Never     11 per cent
Once a year    13 per cent
Once a year to once a month 26 per cent
Once a month to once a week 28 per cent
Every day    22 per cent

5. How much did you pay in parking fines last year?

£0     12 per cent
Less than £50   9 per cent
£50 – £100    11 per cent
£100 – £400    23 per cent
£400 – £500    23 per cent
£500 – £700    21 per cent
Over £700    1 per cent

NOTE TO EDITORS

24 7 Parking was established in late 2002 with the aim of becoming the leading marketing services provider to the car parking industry in the UK, and to be the leading de facto marketplace for buyers and sellers, or lessees and lessors, of car parking spaces.

The company is frequently consulted as an expert view on the parking sector by the media.

24 7 Parking is registered in the UK, and is wholly owned by its founding partners, management team and private investors.

Contact
Peter Cooper
0207 183 7274

www.247parking.com