The decorations are up and the lights are shining, as Christmas has well and truly arrived in Harrow.

However, free parking over Christmas is not on offer to people living in the borough. 

Free parking is not a scheme that Harrow Council offers its residents, unlike its neighbouring boroughs, as it stands by its 20-minute free parking scheme to available all year round.

The 20-minute free parking scheme was first introduced in Harrow in 2014 under the Conservative administration, which included upgrading several of Harrow’s on-street ticket machines to include a keypad for motorists to input their car registration number.

Harrow Councillor Graham Henson, portfolio holder for environment, crime and community safety said: “We offer residents 20 minutes free parking all year round across all street parking spaces near our local high streets.”

Barnet is offering free weekend parking in all pay-to-park bays throughout December.

This includes the extended bank holiday weekends around Christmas day (December 24-27) and New Year (December 31-January 2).

The intu Watford shopping centre is also offering free parking to people from December 5.