Time is running out for the much-maligned parking meter in the centre of London. Westminster City Council is about to abolish 440 of them in Soho and Covent Garden, switching to an automated payment system. n future, car-owners wishing to park in these areas will need to pay by debit or credit card via a mobile phone. The aim is to avoid the cost of banking and collecting large amounts of money and to keep one step ahead of gangs targeting the cash-laden meters.
