In most of Europe’s biggest cities, the lack of parking spaces is probably the most stressful aspect of being a driver. Not to mention the cost of parking or the fines for illegal parking, which can amount to £120 (€142) in London.
The UK’s capital has to be one of Europe’s most driver-unfriendly cities – huge parking fines aside, there’s also the congestion charge, traffic cameras that follow your every step, 20 mph speed limits (32 km/h) – and we’re sure Londoners can add many more to this list.
However, people have to move around the city, and for businesses, cars are even more vital. This is why a London property maintenance company has found a solution to avoid paying huge parking fees or being fined for illegal parking. Basically, it started employing young people with a clean license to “van-sit” their fleet of commercial vehicles instead of parking them in central London.
Will Davies, the boss of Aspect, pays an average £8 (€9.5) per hour for young unemployed people to remain double parked near the buildings where his other employees perform maintenance works. When a traffic warden approaches, drivers simply run away. Davies has figured out this solution is cheaper than paying parking fines up to £120 (€142) in London, as well as clamping fines and car pound release fees.
He says what he does is lawful. “It’s completely legal and trials in Westminster have been incredibly successful,” Davies told Aol UK. “Instead of paying fines, the money goes to young unemployed people,” he added.
He even plans to extend the service to the public, if it proves successful. “In fact, we are thinking of rolling out the scheme to include anyone who needs a car-sitter while they attend a meeting,” Davies said.
By Dan Mihalascu
PHOTO GALLERY
