Cheap-rate parking scheme adopted

Two other car parks are to take part in the scheme

A scheme offering motorists the chance to park in central London for as little as 20p an hour is being made permanent.

Westminster Council tried out the new arrangement for 12 weeks at Queensway car park, opposite Hyde Park, in the summer, and it was deemed a success.

Following an increase of more than 50% in the number of motorists using car park, the council will now offer the scheme permanently.

Drivers are charged depending on how full the car park is.

'Tremendous success'

When the car park is empty, the lowest hourly rate of 20p an hour is charged.

As the car park begins to fill up, the price increases.

There is a minimum charge of an hour, and all stays are rounded up to the nearest hour.

Councillor Danny Chalkley, Westminster's cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "The initial trial was a tremendous success and we are now looking at extending this to other car parks in the capital."

Next month the Park Lane and Harley Street car parks are expected to be involved in the scheme.