Ealing Council is to offer free parking in all 17 of the car parks it runs, on four weekends in January.

Ealing Council is to introduce free parking in all 17 of the car parks it runs, on four weekends in January. In Southall this applies to the Herbert Road, the Featherstone and Norwood car parks.

The eight days of free parking is aimed at attracting more shoppers to local town centres and to boost trade during the January sales.

The free weekend parking is valid from 3 January to 25 January 2009 and only will only apply to car parks run by Ealing Council.

People parking in private car parks or using on-street parking meters will still need to purchase a ticket. The same applies to car parks owned but not operated by the Council.

Councillor Jason Stacey, Leader of the Council said: "In these difficult financial times local traders need all the support they can get."

Drivers parking in the following car parks will benefit from free parking:

• Herbert Road, Southall
• Featherstone Terrace, Southall
• Norwood Road car parks, Southall
• Arden Road, West Ealing
• Churchfield Road, Acton
• Dean Gardens, West Ealing
• George Street, Hanwell
• Greenford Broadway, Greenford
• Horsenden Lane South, Perivale
• Salisbury Street, Acton
• Singapore Road multi-storey, West Ealing
• Singapore Road surface car park, West Ealing
• South Ealing Road, South Ealing
• Springbridge Road multi-storey, Ealing Broadway
• Ealing Town Hall, Ealing Broadway
• Witham Road, West Ealing

The following car parks, which are owned but not operated by the Council, are not included:

• Gurnell Leisure Centre car park, West Ealing
• Roslin Road car park, Acton
• Perivale Station car park
• Melville Villas Road car park, Acton

Charging for weekend parking will resume on Saturday, 31 January 2009.