14 Mar 2024
Sweeping changes to parking regulations across the district – including scrapping free places in Harpenden, Redbourn and elsewhere – are being mooted as part of a major council review.
Meanwhile, older residents face losing their senior citizen parking permits, with any renewals now subject to means-testing following a decision at the recent Full Council meeting.
As part of the parking review, SADC is looking at the provision of on-street car parking across the district, and whether it is sustainable to continue to allow free parking in bays given the high level of demand and resulting pressure on places.
Government advice is that on-street parking charges should be set higher than car parks to encourage the use of car parks to reduce congestion and emissions as well as improve safety.
The argument is that charges may deter motorists from taking up spaces for long periods, help cover the costs of council parking services and encourage active travel such as walking and cycling.
Free car parks in Redbourn, Wheathampstead and London Colney, and one and two hour bays across Harpenden town centre will all incur charges should the proposals go ahead.
The council is also looking at the provision of disabled parking in high streets and whether there needs to be improvement, focusing not simply on the number of bays but on having the right number in the right location.
And SADC will be responding to requests for Controlled Parking Zones made by residents across the district who are fed up with not being able to park.
Council strategic director for community and place delivery Chris Traill said: “When we have drawn up our proposals, there will be a public consultation when residents, businesses, community groups and other organisations can give their views.
“All feedback will be considered before the proposals are finalised and any decisions are made.
“There is a process that is carried out before a Controlled Parking Zone is introduced including intensive public consultations. These are community-led initiatives and will only happen if there is a consensus about the need for change among residents and other stakeholders.”
The review follows increases to both car parking charges and parking permit fees agreed as part of this year’s council budget, with Sunday parking charges rising from £1.50 to £2.50 and the aforementioned introduction of means-testing for senior citizen parking permits.
Other parking charge increases include a 28 per cent increase in visitor parking permits, a 33 per cent increase to evening parking, and a 50 per cent increase to sports centre car parks at Westminster Lodge.
Nigel Gardner, Conservative prospective Parliamentary candidate for Harpenden and Berkhamsted, believes the proposals go too far.
He said: “We must be careful not to allow the belief to gain ground that the council is fighting an ideological war on the motorist. That will end up damaging our local economy.
“There are three things that I am very concerned about that I believe are particularly damaging to the people of Harpenden and our villages.
“First, the removal of the senior citizens parking permit for the vast majority of pensioners. The means testing of pensioners parking permits is something I profoundly disagree with. It is simply wrong that those who have worked all their lives and paid their taxes should have their parking permits taken away.
“Second, the plan to start charging for current free time limited on-street parking in Harpenden, making short shopping stops more difficult.
“And third, the plan to charge for the free car park in Redbourn High Street.
“With the cost of living crisis, these are the wrong policies at the wrong time. Not only are they wrong for residents, they will also make life harder for our hard pressed, hard-working high street traders. We need to put our high streets first, nurture them, and make it as easy as possible for people to visit. These changes do the opposite.
“I’m calling on the Lib Dem-run district council to rethink these draconian changes – and I’m happy to work with them to come up with better proposals.
“Whatever our individual politics, we all value our wonderful high streets.”
His comments were echoed by Cllr Teresa Heritage, speaking at the recent Full Council meeting when the 2024-2025 budget was approved.
She said: “The increase in parking fees will be a direct tax on residents – it does seem that every patch of kerb space in our town and village centres will have parking charges – free car parks in Redbourn, Wheathampstead and London Colney will now be pay and displays – limited parking bays will be charged for – parking permits for medical practitioners will increase by 50 per cent and what I see as the biggest insult to our senior population, those who have worked all their lives and paid their taxes – is the removal of their subsidised parking permits.”
