Mon, January 14, 2008
A pilot project suggested for July and August would ease restrictions on London streets.
By JANE SIMS, SUN MEDIA
City hall is thinking about easing overnight parking restrictions on London streets -- but not without your blessing.
Today, city hall's environment and transportation committee will hear about a pilot project suggested for July and August that would allow motorists to leave their cars parked overnight on all city streets without fear of a $30 ticket.
Now, if you park your car on the street between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., you could be fined.
The pilot project would allow a maximum 12 hours parking on city streets unless posted.
No one attended a public meeting in November about the project. The committee is considering allowing for more public response at its next meeting, Jan. 28.
Coun. Harold Usher, the committee chairperson, said Londoners "have been asking for this for years."
July and August, when there are many visitors to the city and no snow removal, is the best time to try out the idea, he said.
Allowing risk-free overnight parking could also entice people who have been drinking to leave their cars parked and take cabs home.
The overnight ban has been in effect in winter to allow for unimpeded snow removal. The streets are cleaned of sand in the spring.
The plan could make it more difficult for police to identify stolen cars and there could be loss of city revenues from parking tickets.
"We can't look at it specifically from a revenue perspective," Usher said. "We're looking at it from a quality of life perspective."
Usher said he looks forward to the public's response, which he expects to be "very creative."
"It's a great idea so long as we don't take advantage of it and use the streets as a parking lot always."
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