Hundreds of motorists have been caught not paying the meter to park in the Westboro, Wellington West and Hintonburg areas since the introduction on paid on-street parking in the popular areas two months ago. The City of Ottawa implemented approximately 700 paid on-street parking spots on Richmond Road and Wellington Street West in the Wellington West, Churchill, Hintonburg, Richmond West and Richmond East areas on Sept. 2 due to “very high parking demand” at peak times. The parking rates are $3 an hour. “By adding paid parking in areas where demand is greatest, the city aims to better manage the limited curbside spaces and improve turnover so more people can find parking when they need it,” staff said on the City of Ottawa’s website. Bylaw Services tells CTV News Ottawa that since Sept. 9, 2,966 tickets have been issued for parking violations in the Richmond and Wellington area. “Following Council’s approval to introduce paid on-street parking in Westboro and Wellington West neighbourhoods, Pay & Display machines were installed in August, before being activated in early September. These changes were implemented to encourage parking turnover and better support local businesses by improving the availability of parking during peak times,” Roger Chapman, Director of Bylaw and Regulatory Services, said in an email to CTV News Ottawa. “The new Pay & Display zone came into effect on September 3 and Bylaw and Regulatory Service (BLRS) officers issued warnings until September 8 to allow the public time to become familiar with the new regulations. “BLRS encourages motorists to review all posted signage and regulations before parking to avoid receiving a ticket.” Paid parking is now in effect in the following areas: Motorists must pay the parking meter Monday to Saturday until 5:30 p.m. in Churchill, Wellington Village and Hintonburg areas, Monday to Friday until 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday in Richmond West, and Monday to Friday until 5:30 p.m. in Richmond East.
