Free Christmas Parking Welcomed But Council Asked to Do More
Call for restrictions in Grove Park to be lifted for festive season
The measure is designed to encourage people to shop locally this Christmas. Picture: Instagram
December 14, 2024
Hounslow Council has announced that it is to lift most parking charges in the borough’s town centres for two days in the run up to Christmas.
Parking will be free in council-controlled paid parking spaces, on-street and in car parks, on Monday, 23 December and Tuesday, 24 December.
The measure is designed to support local shops and help draw in more shoppers.
Chiswick’s Conservative Councillors have welcomed the council's decision with Cllr Peter Thompson, Leader of the Conservative Group saying, “This will encourage people to shop local and enjoy the great range of shops, attractions and fantastic places to eat and drink we have across the Borough.”
Cllr Joanna Biddolph says that the council has been slow to publicise the offering which she only found out by accident that it was happening last year. She has been lobbying for further charge free parking days at this time of year.
She added, "While free parking ... is better than no free parking over Christmas, it would really benefit local businesses if residents and visitors could park free from the weekend before Christmas - this year that means Saturday, 21st December and Sunday, 22nd December as well as Monday and Tuesday. Chiswick's shops, cafes and restaurants, and our many service businesses are still recovering from the pandemic and need a strong Christmas and new year period to help them catch up. I hope that next year the council will extend the free parking days, making it a festive tradition to park free from the weekend before and up to Christmas.
"We have so much on our doorstep here in Chiswick, the council should encourage us to do all our festive shopping at our local shops. Accessories, antiques, art galleries, art supplies, barbers, beauty, bicycles, books, cameras, clothes, crafts, electricals, flowers, furniture, gardening, gifts, haberdashery, hairdressers, health, hobbies, interiors, ironmongery, jewellery, kitchen equipment, leather goods, leisure activities, lighting, opticians, plants, picture framing, men's grooming, natural health, off-licences, picture framing, rugs, shoes, spas, sports, stationery, toys, wine specialists; plus food - butchers, chocolate shops, delicatessens, fishmongers, greengrocers, ice-cream, fruit and veg stalls; and many bars, cafes, pubs and restaurants ... there's no reason to shop online or anywhere other than here".
The Conservativess are also asking for a wider suspension of traffic restrictions across Grove Park and Strand-on-the-Green, namely at Hartington Road and Staveley Road, over the festive period.
Ever since traffic restrictions were introduced into Strand on the Green and Grove Park in 2021 residents have been able to welcome friends and family to their homes without the fear of incurring fines between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day. Hounslow Council has informed the councillors that this will not be happening this Christmas.
Restrictions will be enforced over this period, except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, which are all Bank Holidays.
Cllr Gabriella Giles, Chiswick Riverside, who made this enquiry of the council following a request from residents for further information, stated, “Every year since this scheme’s implementation in 2021, we have asked the council to lift the enforcement of these restrictions from Christmas Eve to New Years Day. It’s disappointing to see that this year the enforcement will be suspended for just the Bank Holidays. The festive period is a time for many to share with their loved ones, and nobody wants to worry about the cost of an unexpected fine at this time of year.”
Cllr Thompson added, “Even TfL will be pausing the central London Congestion Charge between Wednesday, December 25, and Wednesday, January 1, 2025 to help Londoners and visitors experience all that the capital has to offer. It is a real shame that Hounslow has changed its mind. The last thing anyone wants is a penalty notice for family and friends using the wrong road over the holiday period.”
The council said of its suspension of parking charges for two days, “This seasonal offer is designed to make it easier for everyone to enjoy their last-minute Christmas shopping while supporting Hounslow's vibrant small businesses and town centres. It's the perfect opportunity to shop local, find unique gifts, and contribute to the success of businesses in the borough this festive season."
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