Local residents have until the end of September to respond to the public consultation, reports Simon Allin, Local Democracy Reporter

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

Barnet Council is considering an expansion of permit parking near Woodside Park Underground Station.

The town hall has launched an informal consultation on potential improvements to the existing controlled parking zone (CPZ) to the east of the station and plans to extend it to cover a series of roads to the west.

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.

Although they are designed to protect local residents’ and business’s parking, CPZs often lead to problems in nearby streets as vehicles park there to avoid the restricted zone.

The CPZ to the east of Woodside Park currently runs between 2pm to 3pm in some roads and 9.30am to 10.30am in others. Since the zone’s introduction, the council has received feedback on its operation and now wants to hear views on how it is working from the wider area, as well as on its possible expansion. Some 52 roads are included in the consultation area.

The council says surveys will also be undertaken to find out if any changes could be made to boost parking opportunities, accessibility and road safety, in addition to promoting the use of sustainable travel modes by reducing the need to use a car.

More information on the consultation, which is due to run until 28th September, is available online:
Visit https://engage.barnet.gov.uk/woodside-park-area-cpz

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