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Parking permit policy is unfair
• EXCELLENT sleuthing again (‘Boost income’ from parking, November 20) exposing Camden’s secret conversations over their unpopular 267 per cent hike in charges for permission-to-park permits for builders and traders.
Former councillor Mike Greene was shrewd enough to know that this money-raising measure would be very unpopular with residents. Sadly, the representations made by councillors and residents seem to have fallen on fallow ground since his departure. As long ago as June the director of environment, responsible for parking, wrote to me stating: “We are concerned that there are cases where the new level of charges may be making things difficult for residents, so we are looking at how we might be able to offer some relief and I hope we will be able to announce proposals over the next few weeks.”
However, since then no measures have been put in place by the council to alleviate the burden this drastic change from £9 to £33 places on residents and tradespeople alike.
Could it be that they are trying to defend this hike for as long as possible, owing to the £4million less they project to get in surplus parking income this year? The policy is not only unfair, but in the light of Gordon Brown’s “fiscal stimulus” Camden should look again at a fee hike made in a different economic climate, and change it now to boost local trades.
Cllr Theo Blackwell
Labour Opposition Finance Spokesperson |
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