Drivers left furious over council plans to cancel free parking amid million-pound losses
Residents warn new parking measures could affect business in the town
PA
Thousands of angry residents have called for the removal of free on-street parking in a major UK district as locals warn business and tourism in the area could be impacted.
St Albans District Council has come under fire by locals for its plans to remove free on-street parking within Harpenden town centre, with residents now expected to pay to park on the high street.
Angry residents and drivers resorted to creating an e-petition calling for the removal of the council measures which has already gained more than 1,700 signatures.
The petition detailed: “We the undersigned request and petition St Albans District Council to amend their parking policy and reverse the decision to charge for on-street parking in Harpenden town centre.
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The petition has already amassed more than 1,700 signatures
PA“The Council should allow for a minimum of one hour of on-street free parking in Harpenden town centre."
It added that the council’s parking strategy documents failed to “properly or sufficiently” consider the impact on the Harpenden economy, local shops or residents.
“We believe the decision will be damaging to the local economy and will directly and adversely affect the residents and their decision to shop locally,” it warned.
In response, the council launched a consultation and suggested amending its parking strategy. The main proposal would see motorists given two free parking sessions of up to 20 minutes each per day.
The council explained that this would allow people to make quick shopping trips or to drop off and pick up children to and from school.
Proposals would see drivers who want to park beyond the 20-minute free periods needing to pay £2.50 an hour for a maximum two-hour stay or choose to use one of the many off-street car parks available.
The council added that there will be restrictions on parking in place between 8.30am to 6.30pm in St Albans and 8am to 6pm in Harpenden but outside these hours parking will be free.
The aim of the proposals was to ease the pressure on car parking bays in St Albans City Centre and Harpenden Town Centre which are in high demand, the council explained.
The proposals were also designed to make the car parking service “fairer and more equitable” by helping it to become self-sufficient financially, according to local documents.
Under the current parking measures, the council stated that it has accumulated losses of around £1.5million.
But the extra boost in revenue provided by the proposals is expected to bring the overall parking budget close to a break-even figure.
Councillor Helen Campbell, said: “Some of the speculation has been wrong – we are not, for example, proposing to do away with free parking, stopping people making a dash to the shops or other businesses.
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Residents have been offered two 20-minute free parking slots
PA“Parents and carers will still be able to park for free twice a day at the bays that are often used for the school run.
“I ask people to look at the proposals in detail and not rely on any rumours they may have heard. I believe the changes will benefit the community as a whole by promoting active travel and discouraging people from parking on the street longer than they need.”
The e-petition will run until August 29 with locals urged to sign beforehand.