A parking review carried out by councils across London shows that most councillors do not support the idea of free parking.

The London Council’s Transport and Environment Committee, which has representatives from each borough, said the move would “damage” high streets.

The Times Series launched a petition for 30 minutes of free parking across Barnet’s car parks and streets after traders said their businesses were “suffering”.

The opposition Labour group on Barnet council has always support the idea of free parking – but the review shows their colleagues on other councils disagree.

Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Barnet Labour’s environment spokesman, said: “Nobody is saying parking is the be all and end all but it is certainly a key factor.

“I believe there are changes we can make in Barnet that would have a positive impact. In Barnet, the Tories’ parking reforms have had an impact.

“Traders are best placed to know how their business has been affected.”

Traders say when cash meters were removed and parking charges went up, they have noticed a decline in footfall.

Cllr Schneiderman also promised to continue the plight for 30 minutes free parking.

He said: “Parking is not the only issue, but it is something councils have control over. We should do what we can to help.”

The review also said the role of parking in the decline of the high street is “overstated” and the best approach was to price parking so that there is an 85 per cent occupancy rate.

But Councillor Dean Cohen, Barnet’s ruling Conservative parking spokesman, said the results were a “slap in the face” for Barnet Labour.

He said: “Councils across London, of all political colours, have come together to unanimously back this response, including the belief that blanket periods of free parking would be damaging for high streets.

“With the majority of these councils being Labour-run, this is quite a slap in the face for their local Labour colleagues, who have been calling for such an approach – despite having no idea how to meet its cost.

“London Councils were very clear that the influence of parking policies on the high street have been greatly overstated; but that, in any case, the 85 per cent occupancy approach – taken by Barnet to encourage turnover - is the best way to support drivers.”

Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Labour’s environment spokesman, said Cllr Cohen’s claims were “nonsense”.

He added: "Cllr Cohen should actually get out there and talk to some traders and see what they are saying. Local businesses are suffering. Parking is not the only issue, but it is something councils have control over. We should do what we can to help.”