Forum Topic

Unique parking plan will 'benefit all car users'

Ealing Council is teaming up with Hounslow and Brent to create a unique west London parking service, the first and biggest of it's kind in the country.The three boroughs, which are part of the West London Alliance, this week approved Serco as the chosen contractor to run parking services.According to all three authorities, the five year contract will mean an improved parking service thanks to economies of scale, new technology and more efficient working practices.It will see the introduction of 'virtual' parking permits for CPZs, meaning motorists will no longer have to display paper permits on their windscreens.Organisers hope the introduction of new IT and pooling of back office resources will see an improved service that benefits residents as well as visitors to the boroughs.I see trouble ahead.

nikki howard ● 4924d2 Comments

What is the problem here Nicola? Almost all London local authories have organised some kind of back office amalgamation to reduce costs, apply economies of scale to commissioning etc. No way round this as long as there is a cap on council tax. The west London alliance has been functioning for at least five years, and has been applying said economies of scale to social services costs with some success. Why not parking?

Maire Lowe ● 4924d

Ripping off the motorist left right and center is just far too easy.  The only winners in this are the council and the private company, certainly not the motorist.  Anyone who believes their spin be ignorant to the changes in the last 10 years."This trailblazing agreement represents a great deal for Hounslow’s taxpayers and motorists""we can make the savings that are needed whilst at the same time making real, palpable improvements in service"What a load of tosh, not one real benefit mentioned.  The parking in Acton is getting worse and worse year on year with less spaces available as they restrict me to zones which are clearly overpopulated.  What is the point of my permit if I cant even find a space close to home?I am surrounded by 3 different parking zones. One of which is empty most the day and then mine which is full day and night. (zone K!)Its ridiculous and this certainly isn't going to help matters.

Jay Bower ● 4920d