Mayor Boris Johnson promises 2,000 extra parking spaces for car clubs

The number of parking spaces dedicated to car club vehicles in London is to double to 4,000, Boris Johnson announced today.

The Mayor, who is investing £500,000 to set up the new spaces by the end of next March, said: "Car clubs cut Londoners' costs, help reduce congestion and ease pressure on parking.

"They are a brilliant idea and we must surely have the largest number of users compared with any other European city."

There are 9,000 car club members in Islington and significant numbers in Westminster, Camden, Southwark and Lambeth.

But the Mayor's transport adviser, Kulveer Ranger, wants to see car clubs take off in outer London boroughs too.

He said: "The last 12 months saw bays appear in boroughs like Brent and Merton but Richmond stood out in particular where 100 bays were installed we're delighted that 19 boroughs have applied for Transport for London funding next year to help them provide the bays, websites and general support that car clubs require."

Forty per cent of new car club members in the capital sell their car as a result of joining.