Traders in Edgware are gearing up to tell Barnet Council that Pay-by-Phone parking should be replaced by a return to the old pay and display system.

On Tuesday the council announced that as part of their Town Centre and Shopping Parade Parking Review they will be writing to all traders who operate in areas where Pay-by-Phone parking is in operation.

The review aims to discover the needs of traders and their customers in the hope that the council will be able to establish how best to improve the parking situation in the borough’s town centres.

Traders in Edgware are in unanimous agreement that the Pay-by-Phone system is unsatisfactory and that the only sensible solution is a return to pay and display.

They are also keen for shoppers to be offered half an hour free parking.

Gulten Mustafa, manager of Leonidas chocolate shop in Edgwarebury Lane, said: “A lot of our customers, especially the elderly, find Pay-by-Phone parking very difficult.

“A lot of the older generation do not have mobile phones.

“We definitely preferred pay and display. However, a lot of town centres offer shoppers half an hour’s parking for free.

“That is a good idea as the current parking situation is definitely affecting trade.

“People just want to pull up and pick something up and yet they have to pay for an hour. It is killing the trade.”

John O’Connell, manager of Rock Around The Clock in Station Road, agrees.

He said: “The parking situation here is absolutely horrendous.

“What are people without a phone meant to do? What are you meant to do if your phone battery is dead?

“I won’t use Pay-by-Phone parking as I don’t want to give Barnet Council my credit card details.

“I tried to use it in Mill Hill once and it took me 13 minutes.

“Parking in Edgware was bad before Pay-by-Phone but now it is crazy. Edgware is dead now and it really is bordering on ridiculous.”

Mr O’Connell plans to tell Barnet Council that one solution to the problem would be to reduce the width of the pavements on station road and use the space to create more on-street parking spaces.

Hilmi Solmaz, manager of a dry cleaning business on Edgwarebury Road, believes that local people are being put off visiting Edgware because they find it so difficult to park.

He is also welcoming the council’s review in the hope it leads to change.

He said: “So many locals have been put off coming into Edgware.

“The council need to allow at least 15 minutes free parking. That would allow people to pull up to drop or collect things.

“The Pay-by-Phone parking has deeply affected local businesses.

“People now don’t come here unless they really have to. It’s not right.”

Retailers are being given until September 28 to complete the survey.

Any traders with Pay-by-Phone facilities nearby who have not received a letter explaining the consultation, and how to take part, can call 020 8359 7545 or email eando.consultation@barnet.gov.uk