Enterprise car hire accused of street congestion in Hammersmith

Residents living near Enterprise's King Street office in Hammersmith have complained of streets being congested by the car hire firm's vehicles. They state that customers collecting and returning vehicles are using local parking bays, leading to difficulties for families needing to park their own cars. This situation has been described by some residents as turning the neighbourhood into "Piccadilly Circus" on weekday mornings.

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Drew Palmer, a resident of Ravenscourt Road for six years, told BBC London that the problem has worsened significantly over the past year. He reported that vehicles are sometimes left unlocked and with windows not fully shut, leading to car alarms sounding during the night. These alarms, he said, echo along the usually quiet street and disturb his dog. Mr Palmer also recounted an incident where an Enterprise van blocked the entrance to his driveway for 36 hours over a weekend, preventing access until Monday morning.

The issue is exacerbated during school drop-off and pick-up times, when parents struggle to find parking. Photographs shared with the Local Democracy Reporting Service show large vans occupying parking bays along Ravenscourt Road, creating challenges for other road users. Residents have stated that they are forced to park their vehicles considerable distances from their homes, causing significant inconvenience, particularly for those with young children, shopping, or prams.

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Michael Rivers, another resident raising concerns, has alleged that Enterprise is operating on the street without the necessary trading licence. He stated that if the company wishes to claim it is not trading, it must formally record this, as he intends to contest such a claim. Mr Rivers believes that the firm is indeed trading and requires a licence, and he plans to campaign for Hammersmith and Fulham Council not to grant one. He also described the council's past handling of the matter as "very complacent and lax" and called for increased enforcement.

An Enterprise spokesperson acknowledged the concerns regarding parking and traffic and stated the company is actively working to address them. The firm also said it has secured overflow parking to help ease congestion. A spokesperson for Hammersmith and Fulham Council confirmed that the council recently spoke with Enterprise rental. The council stated that the company agreed to find a new solution and that the situation is being monitored closely, with appreciation for the collaborative effort to resolve the problem.