Council says move will help create a more environmentally-driven policy, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter
Cars parked in Totteridge Lane, Whetstone
Parking charges in Barnet are set to be hiked next year.
Barnet Council has confirmed it is exploring a new policy for setting parking charges that will see certain prices increase dramatically.
The council has said the move was a bid to create a more environmentally driven policy while still meeting its traffic management responsibilities.
In 2024 the cost of parking for an hour in Barnet ranged from 77p to £3.12.
Now the council has proposed setting a standard minimum price for parking, for up to one hour, at £3.50, £5.25 for up to two hours, £7 for up to four hours, and £8.75 for all day parking.
A virtual resident visitor voucher will cost £2.50, up from £1.17, for one day’s parking. A printed resident visitor voucher will cost £3, up from £1.45, representing an 88% and 94% increase respectively.
The reason for the different prices, the council confirmed, was to encourage the use of virtual vouchers “reflecting the lower financial and environmental costs of their issue”.
As part of its review the council conducted a consultation which closed earlier this month.
The council has also proposed removing free parking in car parks where it currently exists.
In response, Chipping Barnet MP Dan Tomlinson vocalised his opposition. The Labour MP said: “This week I passed a petition in support of maintaining at least one free first hour in local car parks to the council.
“Signed by 366 Barnet residents at the time of submission, it has now reached almost 400 signatures.
“I know that the council is listening to residents as part of their consultation and look forward to continuing to discuss this important issue in the new year.”
In the petition the MP singled out Moxon Street, Brunswick Road and Church Hill Road car parks as locations to maintain one hour of free parking.
The petition also asks for the retention of free parking on Sundays in locations “where it is currently in operation”.
In response a council spokesperson said: “The council is currently exploring a new policy for setting parking charges, designed to support air quality improvement including by encouraging public transport, walking and cycling, while continuing to meet our traffic management responsibilities.
“As part of this process, we conducted a public consultation over six weeks, from 6th November to 17th December.
“We were pleased to see a high level of engagement from residents and stakeholders, and we value the time and effort people have taken to share their views.
“The feedback we received is now being carefully analysed and will play a key role in informing any future decisions on parking charges.
“Barnet Council remains committed to making decisions that balance environmental priorities with the needs of our community recognising that cars continue to be appropriate for some journeys.”
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