Coming To A Station Near You?

New service reveals local spots commuters can park for free

A company providing a text based service to motorists could prove very unwelcome for residents living close to underground and mainline stations if their concept takes off.

Free to Park helps drivers find 'totally free parking within walking distance of London stations'. Texting the word “parking” plus the name of a station to their number will provide commuters and holiday makers the names of three roads with the postcode where they can park without charge.

The company's website explains that all the roads are 'within an approximate 5 minute walk of the station, some slightly further, but all within a 10 minute distance'.

The company claims to have spent weeks personally visiting every station in London, and surveying all the available parking spots on public roads.

"We will be re-visiting every location regularly to make sure all our information is as up to date as possible, but the free to park website has a comment facility where users of our service can inform us of any parking changes in their locality."

The service could result in greater strain on parking in the area around Chiswick mainline station where cars left by commuters and holiday makers destined for Gatwick are already an issue for residents.

June 29, 2009