A new parking policy for Barnet moved a step forward last night after councillors approved proposals.

Barnet Borough Council is looking at introducing the policy next year, which could include new pricing bands for parking permits, setting fees to generate 85 per cent occupancy rates for high street parking, and more road restrictions at accident hotspots.

The environment committee discussed the proposals last night, after the results from the public consultation were published last week.

Councillors also approved an amendment, put forward by Conservative councillor Dean Cohen, for motorists to park for free during the three weekends before Christmas, following a similar campaign last year.

Labour councillor Alan Schneiderman also put forward a number of amendments, some of which were rejected - such as 30 minutes free parking, bringing back cash parking and removing free parking permits for councillors.

Cllr Cohen, chairman of the environment committee, criticised Cllr Schneiderman’s proposals.

He said: “This is the same old Labour bringing the same old uncosted and unfunded spending commitments. Parking can already be paid for in cash via the vouchers scheme, as well as by card, contactless card and phone.”

Cllr Schneiderman defended the proposals, and said people regularly raised the issues with him.

Speaking to the Times Series, he said: “Residents want a choice of how to pay. It’s not about taking away the other options, but giving people more choice. It’s about making it as easy as possible to pay. The Conservatives don’t believe it’s necessary.”

Discussing whether 30 minutes free parking and bringing back cash payment would end up costing a lot, he said: “My view would be the modest cost of enabling would help people parking. There’s an initial cost, but that would be outweighed by the benefit to our town centres. It’s got such widespread support, I cannot understand why they refuse to do it.”

However, two other amendments brought forward by Cllr Schneiderman were passed.

Councillors agreed to reword the policy’s aims of enforcement from “rigorously” to “fairly”, and to ensure councillors, MPs and MEPs were still able to make representations on behalf of constituents who have received parking tickets.

Council officers will now put a report together, which will go to the next environment committee on January 27.