Text system to find parking space
Updated on 06 January 2009
Drivers struggling to find a parking space can solve their problems by sending a text message.
Westminster City Council, which pioneered a satellite navigation system to help people find nearby public toilets, has adapted its technology to help visitors park in the area.
Drivers who text CARPARK to 80097 will get a text back within seconds giving them details of their nearest car parks, based on their current location.
The service uses satellites to locate the phone when the message is sent allowing it to return information accurate to less than one mile.
The technology directs users to the nearest two of the council's 14 car parks across Westminster.
Locals can also text to receive an instant message back with details of the location and phone number of their nearest leisure centre, swimming pool, library, youth club or children's centre.
The authority hopes the system will eventually be used nationwide.
Councillor Danny Chalkley said: "Thanks to our text services you can find a wide range of essential services at the touch of a button whilst on the move, and this technology has been set up so it can be rolled out across London, and even nationally.
"That means people across the UK could use the same text number if their councils signed up. This type of service has incredible potential and it could be for any type of public service, including hospitals, dentists, and GP surgeries."
The service costs 25p (plus standard network charge) per text sent to the 80097 number.
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