Golders Green estate residents hit with dummy tickets for parking on pavements in narrow streets

Barnet Council sent enforcement officers around the area, close to Cliterhouse playing fields issuing dummy tickets to vehicles parked with wheels on the kerb last Thursday and today.

In January, people living in Colindale and Burnt Oak were shocked to be issued fines without warning for the same contravention, despite having parked in the same way for decades.

Now Cumbrian Gardens resident Edward Adoo fears people will either be hit with fines for not complying, or block the roads by parking with both wheels.

The broadcaster and DJ said: “I was surprised last week when they gave out tickets and got on to the council to ask what was going on.

“If we're forced to park on the road, there's going to be hell to pay. The other day, an ambulance tried to get down Cheviot Gardens but there were two cars on the road and they had to knock on neighbours doors to get them to move.

“That's a life and death situation and it's crazy. Rubbish lorries and even home deliveries won't be able to get through, I don't understand why they're doing this now.

“It seems like revenue raising. I've lived here for ten years and this is the first time it's been a problem. Why can't they consult on this first?”

Mr Adoo contacted Golders Green councillor Melvin Cohen and asked him to look into the situation.

He told the Times Series the notices were handed put because of complaints from pedestrians to the council, adding it was a byelaw that cars could not be parked on the pavement.

But he said: “I have been in touch with the highways department and asked them to design a scheme to allow residents to park two wheels on the kerb.

“While they're doing that, I've also asked for a moratorium on issuing tickets, to make it better for residents.

“People are accusing me of sitting on my backside, but I can only work as fast as the council does. I recognise there is a problem in these narrow roads and we will resolve it.”