Crouch End says 'No' to Stop and Shop

12.23.38pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 16th Oct 2006

Crouch End's residents have responded to the Labour Council's consultation on proposals for the 'Stop and Shop' parking scheme with a resounding 'No'. Despite 90% opposition, it is feared that Labour plan to impose the scheme anyway. The Lib Dems have written to Councillor Brian Haley, the Labour lead member in charge of the schemes, to demand that he scrap the plans.

Crouch End Councillor Lyn Weber scrutinised the responses, finding that of 143 responses, 128 were against the plans. Responses from traders and residents included emails, letters, petitions and visitors to the area - many are furious that their views have been seemingly ignored entirely by Councillor Brian Haley.

Councillor Weber comments: "This is an absolute outrage. How can Labour claim to be 'consulting' the residents of Crouch End, when clearly they don't care one jot about what they say? To go ahead anyway makes a total mockery of the whole process."

Lib Dem Councillor Martin Newton, Lib Dem Spokesperson for the Environment, has written to Labour Lead Member Brian Haley to demand that the Crouch End scheme be scrapped, along with the Muswell Hill Stop and Shop proposals, to which a staggering 98.75% of people (715 out of 724 responses) were against.

Councillor Newton comments: "Councillor Haley has said time and time again that he will not go ahead with parking schemes if there was not public support for them. There is opposition not just from local residents, but from local traders who worry it will damage their businesses, as well as visitors to the area. Labour must now honour the wishes of the local community and scrap the plans."