One system to text meters across London

A single system could be set up in London for drivers to pay for their parking by mobile phone.

Ten boroughs have such schemes but motorists need to register with each one and call charges vary, so London Councils is developing plans to set up one system serving the whole of the capital.

Drivers would register their vehicle and payment details once for use across in London. They would pay by calling or texting a local rate number and quoting a code given to each parking space.

The body which oversees all London's local authorities is looking at how to set up the system and how pricing would work.

The chairman of London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee, Councillor Mike Fisher, said: "We want to make it quicker and easier for drivers to pay for parking.

"Rather than searching for the right change to put in the machine, motorists can simply call in or text their location and pay by credit or debit card.

"A single system means motorists would only need to register their details once rather than each time they park in a different area.

"We are looking at how to bring the various call charges into line with a single local rate number."