Council promises consultation on East Finchley parking changes (From Times Series)

Council promises consultation on East Finchley parking changes

HUNDREDS of people have now signed petitions opposing parking changes in East Finchley.

And with the level of protest to the plans increasing, campaigners are now calling for Barnet Council bosses to hold a public meeting on the issue.

Many fear bringing in a controlled parking zone (CPZ) which operates between 10am and 6.30pm will badly affect the independent retailers in High Road and they argue there is no specific parking problem in the area.

Traders and residents were denied the opportunity to voice their concerns to council officials last week after the Finchley and Golders Green forum was cancelled, but are planning to descend on mass to the rearranged meeting on Monday, at Avenue House, in East End Road, which starts at 6.30pm.

But Dino Loizou, from the East Finchley Traders Association, said they will be demanding a focused meeting on the proposals to demonstrate the level of opposition.

“We are working for a public meeting because the council still haven't sent us the detailed information on the survey so we can analyse it,” said Mr Loizou, who claims about 1,500 signatures have been collected by shops along High Road.

“A meeting will make the council aware of how many people are against it.

“We are going to leave the petitions out for a bit to let it run, but we are getting people to write in, and contacting MPs and politicians to put pressure on the council.

“I'm going to hold off sending in all the responses until they come to us saying there is an official consultation process.”

Mr Loizou has also reproduced copies of the Hendon & Finchley Times recent front page on the issue, which now appears in many of the shop windows.

He said: “It is generating a lot of interest. People are stopping and reading it, and it is really helping to raise awareness.

“It gives our cause a bit of credibility and we are getting a lot of support.”

Gillian Cohen, of Lincoln Road, has been canvassing neighbours for their opinion and has started up a petition for residents.

She is focusing on three main points, those being there is no significant problem with parking during the day, the inconvenience and cost it will cause for residents and the detrimental effect it will have on shops.

“I got enraged by the whole situation,” said Ms Cohen.

“I have received an enormous amount of feedback. A lot of people are saying it is not necessary.

“It is lovely to have local independent shops where we know we can get individual attention and it will be a terrible shame if we lose those places.”

Parking chiefs at the council said having issued letters to people outlining the proposals, they will “shortly commence” the statutory consultation which should start before December.

The statement added: “All responses received to the statutory consultation will be considered before any decision is made on whether or not to proceed with the proposals, with or without further modification.”