PRESS RELEASE – PARKING COMPANY SALUTES CAMDEN COUNCIL

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

247 Parking unconditionally supports the enlightened decision of Camden Council to pay back around £134,000 in parking fines collected from drivers who parked on single yellow lines on Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Traditionally motorists have been allowed to park on single yellow lines in Camden during Bank Holidays. This year, Camden Council changed its policy at the last minute, making only a small posting on the council’s website to inform drivers of the policy change. Traffic Wardens then dished out an impressive 1,119 fines on Good Friday and Easter Monday, giving rise to a deluge of complaints.

The council claimed that they were merely enforcing normal traffic regulations and that it was a discretionary gesture of goodwill not to issue parking tickets to cars parked on single yellow lines on Good Friday and Bank Holiday Monday.

“It was an outrageous grab for cash, but thankfully they’ve done the right thing and agreed to pay everyone back,” says 247 Parking MD Julia Callan. “And we hear that they will not be enforcing single yellow line restrictions for the Bank Holiday on May 3.”

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

Valentine’s tube misery

Monday, February 8th, 2010

With a 24 hour tube strike set to hit on St Valentine’s Day February 14 2010, there isn’t a lot of love for either LUL or the RMT from London’s hard pressed commuters.  With the prospect of travel chaos at the weekend and start of the week, many people planning Valentine’s Day celebrations might be forced to put their plans on hold. But not customers of 247 Parking.

“We were planning to go out for a romantic night the day after Valentine’s Day. We’ve had a baby sitter arranged for weeks. We weren’t about to let anything spoil this. We know that parking is going to be chaotic on Sunday and Monday,” says Emma Morgan, of Brighton. “Fortunately I have a parking space reserved in the West End where I work. It means that my partner and I can enjoy a night out on Monday to celebrate Valentine’s Day without worrying about tickets or struggling back to Victoria to catch the over crowded and unreliable last train home. We’re having a meal at Hakkasan, our favourite Chinese restaurant, before going to see Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre.”

Chris Fowler lives in Redcar, drives into London every day and has a space reserved near his office on Euston Road.

“It has worked out brilliantly for me and my partner. When we heard about the strike we were initially a bit anxious. We’ve had tickets for Babyshambles at Koko for weeks and I’m so relieved that we don’t have to worry about leaving the car. All we’re worried about now is whether or not Pete Doherty will actually turn up to play the gig.”

And one customer that just HAS to find a space on Sunday is Dan Lane of Rochester, Kent.

“Even at weekends parking can be a problem. I’ve had tickets when I’ve parked in places that I was certain were free parking zones. And despite traffic being quieter, I’ve still driven for ages around Chelsea looking for a safe place to leave the car. Sometimes as much as an hour!
“I’m planning to propose this week. Given the things I’m going to have to worry about from now on, at least turning up late at my girlfriend’s flat because I couldn’t find a parking space isn’t one of them!”

247 Parking wishes Dan well and hopes that he gets the right answer when he pops the question.

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
Rachel Johnson
0207 183 7274
rjohnson@247parking.com

www.247parking.com