Council starts parking space text service for drivers

A NEW satellite technology system will allow London residents to be directed to their nearest parking space, library or youth service through their mobile phone.

The scheme, in Westminster, follows the success of its "SatLav" pilot, which told party-goers where their nearest public lavatory was. Now, in the first project of its kind, the council wants to help stressed motorists struggling to find a car park.

Drivers text "carpark" to 80097 and receive a message within seconds giving them details of the nearest facility, to their current location.

The service uses GPS to locate the phone and the return message is accurate to under one mile, directing users to the nearest two of the council's 14 car parks across the borough.

It is planned that the scheme will later be expanded to include other public services, such as libraries and leisure centres.

Councillor Danny Chalkley said: "The technology has been set up so it can be rolled out across London, and ultimately nationally.

"This type of service has incredible potential and it could be for any type of public service, including hospitals, dentists, and GP surgeries."

Last year Westminster council launched its award-winning SatLav service, where people text the word "toilet" and are given the location and opening hours of the nearest facility.

In its first week of operation alone, SatLav received 3,230 requests for information.