As you know, Westminster planned to introduce new parking charges, in a small area of central London, on evenings and Sunday afternoons, from January 2012. The council has now postponed the implementation of these proposed policies until after the Olympics next year.

This follows a High Court decision to consider the proposals in more detail through a judicial review. We are a council that abides by the law so we recognise the significance of this decision. 

There is a very real problem with traffic congestion in the West End and we continue to stand by that.  We are confident that we will be successful at the Judicial Review hearing on the strengths of our arguments, the comprehensive consultation and the need to make central London less congested.

However, London faces many challenges in 2012 and we do not wish this public debate to become a distraction to preparations for the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics. Westminster has an important part to play in both these national celebrations and will be devoting substantial effort to making them both a success.

As a result of this we have decided to postpone implementation of the new parking rules until after the Olympics even if we are successful at the Judicial Review hearing.

We will of course use the intervening period to discuss our policy and continue to listen to the concerns of residents, visitors and business who like us want to see congestion reduced while sustaining the economy.

We will also continue to work every day to make the heart of London experience cleaner, safer and more vibrant.

Cllr Colin Barrow
Leader of Westminster City Council

Find out more about the new parking policy and why it has been postponed.