New housing development in the area is expected to impact on parking in local streets, reports Simon Allin, Local Democracy Reporter

CPZs allow residents with permits to park in marked-out bays — CPZs only allow residents with permits to park

Barnet Council could introduce permit parking in a part of the borough undergoing “a huge expansion of new housing developments”.

The town hall is holding an “informal consultation” on proposals for a controlled parking zone (CPZ) in Underhill, where it says development will “continue to increase the levels of car use impacting the parking situation on the local streets”.

CPZs only allow residents who hold permits to leave their cars in marked-out spaces, with fines issued for those who break the rules. In Barnet, an initial CPZ permit costs £78.60 per year, while those with electric vehicles pay £16.50 and disabled Blue Badge holders get them free of charge.

The council says the informal consultation will help it to gain a clearer understanding of the parking issues in the roads. It has also commissioned an agency to carry out parking “stress surveys” to see if changes are needed to increase parking opportunities, boost accessibility and enhance road safety.

According to the town hall, the changes could also help to promote the use of “sustainable travel modes” by reducing the need to use a car when making “journeys such as to the shops, school or to work”.

Because CPZs can push parking into surrounding streets that do not have any restrictions, the council says it will consult over a wider area rather than focusing solely on streets currently experiencing parking problems.

The informal consultation on parking in Underhill will close on 31st May. For more information:
Visit https://engage.barnet.gov.uk/underhill-cpz

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