Haringey Stop-and-Shop plans altered

4.58.21pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 4th Dec 2006

Compromises have been secured from Labour over the plans for both the Muswell Hill and Crouch End "Stop-and-Shop" schemes, but Lib Dem councillors say that Labour's concessions do not go far enough. Labour have agreed to include in the parking scheme plans a reduction in the first level of charge to 20p for the first twenty minutes, and an agreement to begin charging at 9am rather than 8am.

In Muswell Hill an agreement has been made to dispose of the majority of plans to site pay-and-display bays in residential side streets, as well as a large reduction in the number of bays along Fortis Green Road. For Crouch End, a reduction in the number of short-term pay-and-display bays and the provision of some three-hour bays has been secured.

While the Lib Dems are happy that they have been able to influence Labour to a degree, they argue that Labour must recognise the vehement opposition to the plans amongst residents and go back to the drawing board. Over 98% of responses to the first stage of consultation were against the plans.

Martin Newton, Lib Dem spokesperson for Traffic and Highways, comments: "There are so many questions that Labour are not prepared to answer: How long will it remain 20p for the first 20 minutes? How long before further pay-and-display bays are installed? Why won't the Council provide the first 30 minutes free? Will the proposed pay-and-display machines give change? Why is charging starting before it gets busy? If the Council is really concerned about parking in these areas, why doesn't it promote the existing public car parks and open the Hornsey Library Car Park in Crouch End for public use during the week?

"Labour just cannot accept that they have got it wrong with their one-size-fits-all approach. They still pretend that they are listening to residents over consultation, but in reality they are presenting a deaf ear. They are consulting on these matters just before Christmas, when they are aware that residents are going to have other matters on their minds, or be away from their homes.

"The Council needs to look at individual problems and address these needs with tailored solutions on a street-by-street basis and without this, and without further commitments from the Council, these schemes should be scrapped."