Parking rules are killing the high street, say traders

8:56am Thursday 10th July 2008

By Rebecca Lowe

"Unfair and confusing" parking restrictions are killing Barnet High Street and turning the area into a ghost town, according to traders.

Retailers say about a dozen shops have closed because of a loss in trade caused by town centre rules.

Eighty-one business owners have signed letters to Barnet Council condemning the restrictions, which ban high street parking from 8am to 9.30am and 4.30pm to 6.30pm, with pay and display parking allowed between 9.30am and 4.30pm.

But traders say shoppers are constantly falling foul of the rules because they are not clear. They are campaigning for one hour's free parking, better signs and a removal of morning and evening restrictions.

Although the rules came into effect three years ago, the campaign kicked off in June this year after increasing numbers of customer complained of being ticketed.

In the past two months, 467 parking tickets were issued during the restricted morning and evening periods, for which the council collected £13,600 in fines.

Quality Jewellers owner Philip Webb, 57, re-established the High Barnet Traders Association to try to resolve the problem, which he called a "make-or-break issue" for the town centre.

He said: "A lot of businesses think it's not worth continuing here because of these unfair and confusing parking rules. It's killing our high street. I think the street should be the premier high street of all the Barnet areas, just as Hertford is the premier high street of Hertfordshire, but it's being completely neglected."

Valentino, who goes only by his first name, opened his salon, Visible Changes, 16 years ago. He believes trade is the worst it has ever been.

"The traffic wardens hide until exactly 4.30pm, then ticket everyone along the street," he said. "They know people don't understand the rules and they take advantage of it.

"But nobody understands what these restrictions are for. All they are doing is scaring people from coming into Barnet.

"Everyone has had a noticeable drop in trade and many people have closed down. The place is becoming a ghost town."

However, the council strongly refutes the suggestion its enforcement officers have carried out a campaign of aggressive ticketing in recent months.

A spokesman said: "Parking restrictions on Barnet High Street are clearly marked with times clearly displayed. We are also in the process of adding a sign to the pay and display machines to make the waiting/loading restrictions clearer.

"These restrictions are in place to enable smooth traffic flow during the morning and evening rush hours at what is a very busy major junction for traffic travelling into and out of London."

But the traders say the parking bays are irrelevant to the flow of traffic, as the single-file traffic never passes through the bays even when they are empty. They believe Turn to page 4 FROM page 3 the restrictions are merely a money-making venture, designed to trap motorists, and do not take into consideration the difficulty of running a High Street business.

Graham Watts, of Belvoir lettings agency, said business had dropped 30 per cent since the parking restrictions were introduced.

"It's appallingly bad," he added. "On Saturday we had good weather but only two people came in. Everyone is suffering.

"It is an accepted fact that high streets in the UK are dying slowly, with increased internet use, an impending recession and out-of-town supermarket development, so the council has got to help us.

Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers said she would meet Barnet Council representatives to discuss the issue.

"The traders have valid concerns, but I'm not sure what the solution is yet," she said. "I am looking for ideas to help as it is absolutely vital to keep the high street flourishing, especially in such difficult economic times."