News from Westminster Labour

Westminster residents to pay over £7m in increased parking charges

Westminster residents face a £7.3 million bill in extra parking charges to help fill the £22 million hole in the Conservative-run Council’s finances, according to Labour Councillors who have revealed details of the expected increased income that the new parking charges will generate.

* Extending hours of operation in Inner Zones Monday-Saturday until midnight: £5,881,500

* To increase charges for casual visitor parking in St John’s Wood and surrounding areas from £1.10 to £2.20 per hour: £783,000

* To increase the charges for casual visitor parking in the Inner Zones with neighbouring Camden Zones from £4.40 to £5.00 per hour: £432,000

* Increasing the cost of a resident parking permit above inflation: £275,000

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group, said; “These figures are truly shocking and show how Westminster residents are again being used as a ‘cash-point’ to fill the deep hole in the Council’s finances. In 2008 Westminster Conservatives invested £17 million in now-failed Icelandic Banks and now, two years later in 2010, Westminster residents are picking up the bill for this monumental financial incompetence.”