Liberal Democrats call for Christmas amnesty

1.03.20pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 17th Dec 2007

Lib Dems have called for a temporary reprieve for residents' using the Muswell Hill and Crouch End 'Stop and Shop' parking scheme to give time for Haringey Council to amend confusing signage and restore public confidence in the system. In October 2007, the Department for Transport branded signs used to indicate restricted parking times as 'unsatisfactory' as they indicated that waiting is simultaneously both prohibited and permitted.

Lib Dems have criticised the inaction by the Labour-run Council who proposed to add stickers to pay-and-display machines to end confusion - a promise they have failed to carry out, leaving many visitors to the shopping centres of Muswell Hill and Crouch End being unwittingly ticketed or towed away.

Cllr Martin Newton, Lib Dem spokesperson for Transport and Highways comments:

"The Labour Council needs to stop this confusion now. They are well aware of the questions around the enforceability of their signage but have failed to act. Not only do they need to make it clear on the pay-and-display machines, they need to get the signage right in the first place and one has to question why Labour are so reluctant to put this right.

"In the run up to Christmas the Council should, at the very least, offer an amnesty on enforcing outside the hours for pay-and-display to help both visitors and traders enjoy this festive season."

Notes:

The Council are currently reviewing the Stop and Shop signage after conflicting guidance was given to Cllr Newton and the Council.

Cllr Newton has submitted further Freedom of Information requests to ascertain the legality of the signage for both 'Stop and Shop' and the Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ) in Highgate and Wood Green.