Andrew Dismore

Andrew Dismore, Labour London Assembly candidate for Barnet and Camden, has found out  that to deal with the consequences of Conservative Barnet Council’s hike in parking charges which have  forced motorists into parking elsewhere, causing obstruction to traffic, London Transport’s buses  and the police. So to deal with this, Barnet are now planning extra double yellow lines. (extract council report below)

Andrew Dismore said:

“It is unsurprising that motorists seek elsewhere to park, to avoid Cllr Coleman’s excessive parking charges. He has already killed the golden goose with parking receipts up to £1/2 million down on what was expected, because  drivers have shunned  his extortion.

So to punish them, just as Westminster did in the West End to get their revenge on those who opposed their crazy parking schemes,  he now plans yet more double yellow lines to stop them parking anywhere except where Cllr Coleman dictates. The first example is in Mill Hill, where if he had left well alone, there was no problem, with people parking at reasonable cost in appropriate places.

His policy has caused inconvenience and congestion, so now he is taking steps to deal with the consequences of his own folly, and the poor motorist suffers yet again.

It is time for Barnet to rethink parking policy root and branch and for Cllr Coleman to go.”

 

Notes to editors:

Extract from council report:

“Bittacy Hill_Introduction_of_Waiting_Restrictions”

8.1 In June 2011 the Council completed a scheme whereby all ‘Free’ parking bays were converted to permit holder or paid for parking bays in the borough’s Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs). As a result of the changes made to the Mill Hill East CPZ, a proportionate level of displaced parking is occurring on both sides of Bittacy Hill on the outskirts of the CPZ boundary.
8.2 The council has been contacted by roads users and local residents, complaining of the congestion being caused as through vehicles are being obstructed by the displaced parking.

8.3 London Buses have reported to the council that the displaced parking is obscuring sightlines and obstructing through traffic, preventing their buses from gaining suitable access through the road, resulting in the delay of their services. They also stated that this situation has caused major congestion in both directions on Bittacy Hill and therefore, have had to temporarily put some of their buses on diversion.

8.4 In addition, the Police have also expressed concerns regarding this location, and have requested for waiting restrictions to be introduced.

8.5 Following investigations including site observations, Officers concluded that major congestion occurs on the hill at this location, and in order to keep traffic movingthrough the borough considered that the provision of waiting restrictions would be appropriate given the obstructive parking which is taking place.

8.6 Therefore, proposals to introduce lengths of ‘at any time’ waiting restrictions on certain lengths of Bittacy Hill including around its junctions with Bittacy Close and Engle Park, were designed in order to deter obstructive parking and improve traffic flow, sightlines and safety.

 

8.9 In mid August it was necessary to introduce emergency temporary waiting restrictions on the eastern side of Bittacy Hill, as nearby Devonshire Road was closed to allow for essential maintenance works to take place, which resulted in an increased traffic flow on Bittacy Hill that exasperated the problems occurring at the location.