Richmond Council to introduce more parking bays as car club hits 2,000 target (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Richmond Council to introduce more parking bays as car club hits 2,000 target

9:20am Sunday 1st November 2009

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The number of Richmond residents who have signed up to the borough’s car clubs has passed the 2,000 mark, it has been revealed.

And the scheme is set for a further boost with the area’s transport chief ready to introduce 34 new parking bays for the shared cars.

The authority revealed membership of car clubs in the borough – which enables drivers to use vehicles on a pay-as-you-go basis by booking cars parked in 72 designated bays for as long as they need – have exceeded the 2011 target.

Councillor David Trigg, Richmond Council cabinet member for traffic, transport and parking, said he was thrilled and the three car clubs – Streetcar, Zip Car and City Car – provided a practical alternative to car ownership.

“It has never been easier for residents to take the opportunity to save thousands of pounds in maintenance, tax and insurance,” he added.

Peter and Emma Woolliams, from Hampton Hill, signed up recently and said the scheme was “the perfect solution” for them.

Mrs Woolliams added: “We thought about buying a car but that seemed a ridiculous amount of money to spend, both the up front cost and the running costs for something we would not use very often.”

On Tuesday, Coun Trigg approved a plan to use Streetcar as a “pool car provider” for council staff and is set to approve the creation of 34 new car club bays across the borough.

This will include new double bays in St James’ Avenue, Hampton Hill, Nowell Road, Barnes and Lawn Crescent, Kew.

But the council has been criticised for a lack of consultation on the bays.

Hampton North Councillor Geoffrey Samuel described the scheme as “excellent” but said residents should be asked if they want bays outside their homes.

He said: “They asked me whether I approve of a bay in Nightingale Road. But it is not for me to decide. It is not my home that will have customers coming and going outside its front gate.”

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