London councils criticised for imposing fines on Boxing Day
Councils waive parking restrictions on public holidays but as 26 December falls on a Saturday this year some do not recognise it as a public holiday.
One of those councils, Westminster City Council, said it will offer free parking on Monday 28 December instead. We have asked Ealing Council to tell us whether they have planned anything similar.
But campaigner Paul Pearson said thousands of motorists "will have Christmas tarnished by a £120 ticket".
Of all 32 London councils, Ealing and Hammersmith and Fulham are among the 17 which confirmed that they would impose parking restrictions on 26 December. Hounslow, however, will not be imposing parking fines on Boxing Day.
Mr Pearson, of campaign group Penalty Charge Notice, said the lack of consistency will 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."
An Ealing Council Spokesperson told us: “We are encouraging people to park for free in our car parks on weekends in December, which includes 26 December.
"People can park for as long as they like in these car parks without worrying about parking restrictions. Other usual restrictions will apply on this day including parking on yellow lines and in CPZs with Saturday enforcement.
“Monday 28 December is a Bank Holiday, which means that people can park for free again in council car parks. Any resident can park in pay and display bays and permit bays in CPZs on the Bank Holiday Monday.
"Restrictions such as yellow lines with individual time plates, bus stops, zebra crossings and other similar restrictions remain in force on Bank Holidays.”
December 11, 2009