Barnet’s parking policy often seems to put revenue-raising above the needs of residents and traders, harming our high streets and town centres.

Barnet Borough Council has recently consulted on a new parking policy and one of the most frequent responses was the call for the introduction of a period of free short-term parking. This would boost trade by encouraging more shoppers to visit and encourage a steady turnover of vehicles.

Barnet Labour councillors agree and have repeatedly called for a minimum of 30 minutes’ free parking in all our town centres. We attempted to get this included in Barnet’s new parking policy, but this was yet again rejected by Tory councillors. And now the Chipping Barnet MP has joined Tory councillors in denying the need for extended provision of free short-term parking in order to win back shoppers to High Barnet.

The Tories stand alone in their belief that their current parking policies are working and that no reform is needed. It’s time they started to listen and stand up for Barnet’s high streets.

Cllr Amy Trevethan Lab/Underhill, Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Chipping Barnet and Cllr Alan Schneiderman Lab/Woodhouse, Barnet Borough Council