The City of London Corporation is considering introducing parking charges on Sundays – a day when public transport is routinely disrupted and traffic in the Square Mile is at its quietest.

The only regular Sunday visitors are tourists, volunteers and those attending services at churches such as St Bride’s, Fleet Street – which are major cultural heritage sites.

Sunday charging would place an unnecessary financial burden on people attending services, including families, older worshippers, and on volunteers who give their time to support the City’s historic churches.

It would also undermine the long‑standing principle that the City remains accessible for worship on Sundays, when businesses are closed and traffic is minimal – and run counter to the Corporation’s own ambition to increase footfall in the City.

The photo is a Sunday lunchtime view along Fleet Street. Traffic levels are already very low and parking charges would have a negligible impact on air quality and climate targets.

We therefore call on the City of London Corporation to withdraw its proposal to introduce Sunday parking charges, and to work with local churches and community groups to ensure that the Square Mile remains open and accessible for all.