Thousands sign petition against changes to visitor parking permits in Haringey

Residents are concerned some parts of Haringey will charge £17 per day visitors to park, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Thousands of people have signed a petition opposing charges to daily visitor parking permits in Haringey.

Haringey Council is currently consulting on proposed parking policy changes which includes removing daily visitor permits. Instead, residents will be able to access hourly permits.

However, residents are concerned in some parts of the borough that they will have to pay up to £17 per day for a visitor, when previously it was £5. The hourly rate for visitors is £1.20.

Nearly 3,500 people have now signed the petition to stop the planned discontinuation.

Tom Leanse, who started the petition, wrote: “In any controlled parking zone (CPZ) which is operational more than four hours a day, the proposals will make it more expensive to buy a day’s parking for a visitor.

“The longer the hours of operation, the greater that increase in expense will be.”

Local resident Anna McConnell, a supporter of Tom’s petition, added: “Removing daily permits doubles the cost of having visitors at your home – doubling the cost of parking makes childcare, care of parents, home maintenance etc. much more expensive, during a cost of living crisis.”

According to the council, the aim of the policy is to stop the “misuse” of the permits, which it says are being sold to commuters for profits, turning residential streets into “car parks”.

However, some have questioned the evidence and instead claimed the move was financially motivated.

In response to the petition, Seema Chandwani, cabinet member for resident services and tackling inequality, strongly urged residents to participate in the consultation and added that “no decision” had been made.

Cllr Chandwani said: “No decisions have been taken on any of the proposals.

“Our residents and businesses have been instrumental in helping to develop our parking strategy, which aims to address the challenges of parking in a densely populated borough.

“I would strongly urge residents and businesses to continue their involvement in this collaborative exercise by responding to the statutory consultation in accordance with the advice given on the council’s website and therefore have their say on any future changes to our parking policy.

“This consultation will help determine whether these proposed policies will meet the needs of the community and enhance parking accessibility in Haringey.”

Residents can object, support or make representations on the proposed changes either by email or post until Wednesday, 20th November.

For more information or to take part in the consultation visit Have your say on our proposed parking policy changes | Haringey Council

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