Opposition councillor brands parking charge plans ‘draconian’

Picture: Councillor Clarence Barrett

Plans to increase parking charges in the borough have been criticised as being ‘draconian’ by a leading opposition councillor. 

The plans put forward by the council will mean prices increasing across Havering and the removal of 30 minutes free parking in Hornchurch and Upminster as well as a flat fee of £1.50 on Sundays. A new overnight charge will also be introduced after 6.30pm of £1.50.

Cranham Councillor Clarence Barrett agrees there needs to more funding for roads but is worried the new proposals will have a detrimental impact on the high street and local businesses.

“That is absolutely the right thing to do but, what I would say in order to fund that there are more ways to do it than pushing parking charges up to a ridiculous level.”

“The charges that are being proposed seem very draconian and will only turn people away – why would they pay £1.50 per hour when they can go down the road to Lakeside and park for nothing and do their shopping there.”

“I’m not saying the car park charges as they stand do not need reviewing because they do, but to the extent that’s been proposed it really is going to make our high street empty and put our businesses out of business.”

Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Osman Dervish, said: “We have listened to our residents and businesses. They have told us that our roads and pavements need improving and these parking charge changes will help us fund the work to fix them.”

“Businesses said they wanted the 30 minutes free parking kept in many areas. We are doing that.”

In a bid to make it easier to pay the new charges, new contactless parking meters will be rolled out over time with Romford the first place to get them. It is also hoped they will be less likely to be vandalised and safer for council staff to empty.

Later in the year the council will be launching a consultation looking at introducing controlled parking zones to make it easier for residents to park and prevent much needed spaces being taken up.

Councillor Osman Dervish, said, “Residents also told us that they often have problems parking in their neighbourhoods. This is why we are also looking to introduce controlled parking zones so local people have a space, rather than losing it to out of borough commuters.”

“We believe that these proposals are the best way of helping to make our roads better and parking in their neighbourhoods easier.”