A permanent scrapping of proposed Westminster parking charges must be enforced, the council’s Labour group has urged in a new motion.
Weekend and evening charges due to be implemented by Westminster city council on 9 January were blocked after Mayfair estate agent Wetherell won a high court order to freeze them until a judicial review application is heard.
The council said it will not introduce the hikes until the 2012 Olympics are over.
Following the resignation of Westminster council leader Colin Barrow this month, councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, leader of the Labour group, has asked his successor – one of four candidates – to support a motion rejecting the parking charges at a meeting on 25 January.
Dimoldenberg said: “We have tabled a motion calling on the council to scrap the West End parking plans immediately so that the damage and uncertainty to West End residents, churches, business and workers can be lifted for good.”
The Howard de Walden Estate said the charges could reduce trade and ultimately lose it tenants on Marylebone High Street.
Elsewhere, David Coffer, chairman of Coffer Group, said the impact of the parking restrictions on trading for bars and restaurants could trigger a large number of rateable value appeals, denting the amount of business rates paid by tenants to the council.
joanna.bourke@estatesgazette.com
