Parking in London W1.

[mentalboy]

I've got to make a trip to the big smoke very soon and am just wondering if anyone has any idea how busy the 'pay-by-phone' bays in the Manchester Square and Portman Square areas are?
Am I likely to be screwed for finding enough space for a panniered bike anywhere in the area during working hours?
Not sure how popular these bays are (finding them is no problem) during the working week or whether there is a spot within a half mile radius of Manchester Square that is not so popular?

Any relevant advice great appreciated

[hellkat]

Not terribly well acquainted with that area any more, although I expect they are always fairly busy during the daytime, as I presume most people park up and go to work for the whole day.

Always worth a look, though, but I'd have an NCP garage in mind as a reserve back-up, just in case.

Try Margaret St and Henrietta Place, both slightly east of your initial choices, as back-ups before you go to the garage option; I've had success parking there randomly during the middle of the day.
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[CyrilSwan]

I've not parked there but I know the area. It's in Westminster and they charge for parking on the street. Better to go into one of the car parks by q Park. They are free and under cover (some of them).

https://m.q-park.co.uk/en/mobile/find-a-car-park/london/q-park-oxford-street
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Current: Honda 2015 MSX125.
Previous: Honda 2012 CBF125.

[mentalboy]

[CyrilSwan]

Just turn up as far as I am aware.
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Current: Honda 2015 MSX125.
Previous: Honda 2012 CBF125.

[mentalboy]

[goto10]

Gildea Street is walking distance from there and it _always_ has spaces (outside BBC), I've parked in Westminster for the last ~5 years and it's always been my back-up spot.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Gildea+St,+London+W1W+6BP/
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'12 NC700S & '12 CB600F Hornet [Stolen by some dickless twat] Suzuki GT500 shed

[someotherguy]

[MCN]

[natefz6]

I park up here 20 min walk away from Manchester square. The thing with Westminster is it can vary, a lot. For the last week there has been over 3 metres of free space in the bay out side all day, but as soon as they start any road works they seem to close all motorcycle bays and then it is difficult to get in any were let alone with panniers.

You didn't mention the time you will be getting in but if you get in pre 08:45 you will be good in most bays. After 9 it will get sticky and post 10 you will be lucky. If you are getting here midday it might be worth saving the hassle and paying for the qpark thingy.

No satnav or maps.. good luck. getting in to central London is fine but the one way streets round this part of town still catch me out at times and I have been riding round them for 12 years!
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"no I didn't steal it that's just the way I ride"

[goto10]

[Undinist]

What I've been doing in Westminster for the last couple of decades is park on a yellow line and remove my number plate. The parking officers can't issue a ticket. The frame number is of no use to them because they don't have full access to the DVLA database. They will only get your bike removed if it's causing an obstruction.

The more people who do this, the sooner the councils will find a punitive solution. So forget I said anything.
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Current bike: K1100RS. Previous: CD200, GSX250, GT550, VFR750, K100LT, K1100LT, R1100GS, R1150GS, ZZR1100, Hayabusa, RSV Mille, MV F4 750S, R1, ZX-10, KTM Adventure 950S

[mentalboy]

[CyrilSwan]

Glad to help.
____________________
Current: Honda 2015 MSX125.
Previous: Honda 2012 CBF125.

[hellkat]

[mentalboy]

[goto10]