Many readers are facing increases in permit parking charges, and it would appear from our analysis of parking charges that some councils are already probably breaching the law.

Permit parking charges should only be used to cover administrative and enforcement costs, not be a general revenue raising measure.

Barnet residents have been outraged by Barnet Council’s huge increase in the cost of residents’ parking permits and visitors’ vouchers. They are so angry they have decided to take legal action.

David Attfield, a Barnet resident and a solicitor himself, has volunteered to go to the High Court for a judicial review on behalf of the group, which has been formed to fight a campaign on this issue.

In the case of Barnet, the proposed charges are an increase of 250 per cent in some cases, making them much more expensive than other London boroughs.

What is the basis of the claim? Namely, that the council is raising permit parking charges to enable it to cover other costs.

For example, the council leader’s response to public questions on this subject at a cabinet meeting on February 14, was to say repeatedly that, “the increased charges are necessary to ensure sufficient investment in the council’s road network”.

It is clear the increased charges are being used to fund general street maintenance, not for the operation of the permit parking scheme.

More information on the campaign is present on this blog page: http://barnetcpz.blogspot.com The group needs to raise £15,000 to cover prospective legal costs, so donations would be welcome.

The Association of British Drivers encourages Times Series readers to support this campaign.

Only if councils realise they should not be abusing the law and setting permit parking levels that are too high and unaffordable for many, will these developments be halted.

Please donate urgently, as more funds are needed to fight this issue.

Roger Lawson
The Association of British Drivers (ABD)