Councils criticised for imposing fines on December 26th
Hammersmith and Fulham is one of several councils across London that has faced criticism over its plan to impose parking fines on Boxing Day.
Councils usually waive parking restrictions on public holidays but as 26 December falls on a Saturday this year, some local authorities do not recognise it as one.
Of all 32 London councils, Hammersmith and Fulham, Ealing, Westminster, and Kensington and Chelsea are among the 17 which confirmed they would be imposing parking restrictions on the day after Christmas. However, boroughs such as Richmond and Hounslow will not be imposing fines.
Paul Pearson of the campaign group Penalty Charge Notice said the lack of consistency would confuse people visiting and shopping in the city on 26 December.
"Boxing Day is a public holiday - it shouldn't not be a public holiday because it happens to be a Saturday," he said.
"Libraries and leisure centres are all closed on Saturday 26 December because it's a public holiday but they are going to be ticketing motorists and charging for parking because they say it is not a public holiday."
A Hammersmith and Fulham Council spokeswoman said: "December 26 is not a public holiday this year, as it falls on a Saturday, so parking charges will apply. The public holiday is on Monday December 28 when there will be no pay and display charges apart from in Zones G and CC, where residents have priority to park."
December 11, 2009