27 Sep 2025
London Colney parish councillors have asked district council leader Paul de Kort not to impose parking restrictions in the village.
SADC has been consulting on plans to charge motorists to use the car park at Haseldine Road, as well as the possible need for a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in the London Colney area to ensure the parking provision continues to meet the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors.
The introduction of a CPZ can include resident permit parking, additional yellow lines, setting a maximum time a vehicle can remain parked (e.g. in bays outside shops), and parking charges.
Members of London Colney Parish Council – Liberal Democrats like the SADC administration – have said although they were aware of the Haseldine Road proposals, the suggested CPZ came completely out of the blue.
Their letter to Cllr de Kort explained: “Neither residents nor local councillors had any prior indication that this was being considered, and the way the consultation was framed has understandably caused alarm in the community.
“The introduction of a CPZ would have serious cost implications for local people. London Colney is already one of the most socially deprived parts of the district, with many households struggling to manage the rising cost of living. Our village also has a heavier reliance on food banks than other areas, and the prospect of new parking charges will only increase financial pressures for residents who can least afford them.
“We are also deeply concerned about the potential impact on London Colney’s vibrant commercial centre. Local shops, cafés, and businesses depend heavily on visitors from both within and outside the village.
“Introducing parking charges risks discouraging people from shopping locally, driving them instead to the Colney Fields retail park where parking is free. This would undermine the sustainability of our High Street and damage the heart of our community.
“We believe there are alternative methods of managing parking measures that do not impose an additional financial burden on residents and visitors. More consistent parking enforcement, for example, would help tackle issues such as illegal or inconsiderate parking without penalising those who rely on village facilities.
“For these reasons, we strongly object to any proposals to introduce a CPZ or paid parking in London Colney. A more collaborative approach, working with local councillors and residents from the outset, would be far more constructive in addressing concerns around parking.”
In February, district councillors on the public realm committee voted overwhelming to implement the charges, which could reap a projected annual income of £66,000, and they are now included in budget forecasts.
They ignored a petition opposing the measures which was signed by hundreds of village residents.
The scenario draws comparison to that which occurred in Harpenden, when on-street parking charges were introduced in the face of overwhelming local opposition from residents and retailers alike.
Out of the 1,199 individual responses received during a public consultation, 95 per cent were in opposition to SADC’s proposals, with the majority saying they feared a negative impact on local businesses. But again SADC had included revenue from the charges in its budget, and in fact the scheme has reaped 38 per cent more income than expected.
Cllr de Kort has been approached for comment, but is on holiday until October 3.
London Colney Labour district councillors Mike Hobday and Emma Turnball have been campaigning against the charges.
Cllr Hobday responded to the letter from the parish council: “‘There is joy in heaven over a sinner who repents’.
“It is great news that London Colney Liberal Democrats have changed their minds over parking charges in the village.
“Only two weeks ago, they were refusing to criticise St Albans council’s proposals to charge motorists for using the free Haseldine Road car park and devastate village shops and restaurants.
“The parish council’s about-face is a great tribute to the residents of London Colney who turned out in large numbers at Thursday’s parish council meeting to ask them to oppose the dreadful parking charges.
“The attack on London Colney is a political decision from St Albans Liberal Democrat councillors. The decision from the parish council is the first crack in their political unity, but it must not be the last.
“Emma Turnbull and I will be stepping up our campaign to persuade St Albans council to withdraw the threat of charges, knowing the whole village is behind us.”
