Underhill Residents Group argues the new parking permit zone is “arbitrary” and dangerous, reports Joe Ives, Local Democracy Reporter

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

Barnet Council has agreed to commission a report into an unpopular “experimental” parking scheme after a campaign by local residents.

The decision regarding the controlled parking zone (CPZ) in Underhill was reached at a full council meeting on Thursday (5th) last week, following a deputation by a representative from a local residents group.

The local authority began an “experimental trial” of a 16-road CPZ in south Underhill in November last year. It means anyone wishing to park in the area needs a permit between 8am and 6:30pm, Monday to Saturday.

The scheme, currently in its “statutory consultation period”, was unpopular before it began – with only 35% of affected residents polled by the council in favour of the CPZ.

Speaking ahead of the council’s decision, Gina Theodorou from Underhill Residents Group argued that the new parking permit zone is “arbitrary” and dangerous, and mainly displaces parking issues from nearby, including Barnet Hospital.

“The vast majority of parking bays are completely empty,” said Theodorou. She explained how residents and visitors are parking on their drives or on the pavement to avoid paying for permits, making the area even more unsafe for pedestrians.

The Underhill South CPZ scheme, referred to as “experimental” by Barnet Council, requires residents in the area to buy permits to use the spaces on the roads next to their homes.

A twelve-month permit for a standard petrol or diesel car is £83; owners of “fully electric” vehicles are expexted to pay nearly £19. It is free for disabled Blue Badge holders.

Speaking at full council, Conservative councillor Richard Cornelius, who represents the neighbouring ward of Totteridge and Woodside, agreed with public concerns regarding the CPZ, describing some of the parking in the area as “a mess”.

“I don’t really see this as in any way necessary,” he said, adding: “It seems, with such overwhelming opposition, it can’t be the right thing to do.”

Alan Schneiderman, the council’s cabinet member for environment, said he and Zahra Beg, a Labour representative for Underhill, had met with many residents to discuss the issue. He explained that public feedback before the scheme started – which showed 85% of residents against the idea – had meant the CPZ was limited to 16 of the 41 roads originally proposed.

Cllr Schneiderman reiterated that the current Underhill CPZ is “an experimental scheme” with an ongoing consultation which will end on 15th June this year. He said he hoped that, following a review and analysis of responses to the CPZ, a decision would be made “as quickly as possible”.

Following a vote by full council, Cllr Schneiderman agreed to ask officers to write a report on the issues raised by Underhill Residents Group. This report is now set to be discussed at a future council meeting.

As it stands, the local authority’s website says the council will review feedback received on the CPZ during the six-month statutory consultation period, which ends in June. After this, the council will publish its decision on the future of the scheme on its website and via a letter to local residents by 30th September this year.

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