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