New Ten Minute 'Grace Period' For Parking

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High Streets Minister tackles over zealous parking enforcement

High Streets Minister Brandon Lewis has announced drivers will get a new ten minute 'grace period' after their parking ticket expires to get back to their cars.

On a visit to Chiswick, to support local shops with local MP Mary Macleod, he announced measures to reign in over zealous parking enforcement practices. He also gave his support to thirty-minute 'stop and shop'.

It's not known exactly when the new rule will be enforced. It is part of the Deregulation Bill.  

The Minister met Chiswick traders to discuss the future of the high street starting with a short visit to Brompton Bikes new ‘Brompton Dock’ outside Turnham Green station. Mary, the Minister and local councillor John Todd visited businesses including Zecca, Snap Dragon, Macken Brothers, and Mortimer and Bennett.

Under the new measures, drivers will get more time to get back to their cars, with a new 10 minute ‘grace period’ on the statute book. Any breach of this by local councils and parking adjudicators would constitute an illegal fine, triggering a full refund.

Mary said: “I am glad that the Government recognise the huge burden unnecessary and over-zealous parking charges have on local people. They also undermine high street shops and their ability to attract ‘stop and shop’ customers. I would once again urge Hounslow Council to take free parking to the next level, and adopt 30 minutes of free parking for every parking meter in the Borough – including Chiswick High Road.”

The group then assembled at Outsider Tart on Chiswick High Road for an in-depth discussion about the future of the high street. Attendees included the new Brentford and Chiswick Town Manager, Rachel Victor-Sampson, along with Director of Regeneration and Economic Development at the London Borough of Hounslow, Brendon Walsh.

Further attendees from the small business community included Sam Harrison, owner of Sam’s Brasserie, and Mark Wrigglesworth from the Good Wine Shop.

Mary added: “We need to listen to the concerns they traders have. The small business community in Chiswick is lively and full of ideas for the future. I wanted to give them the chance to speak directly to the High Streets Minister so that they could discuss their concerns and aspirations with the person responsible for many of the decisions that affect them on a daily basis.”

July 10, 2014