09 Feb 2025
St Albans district council has been accused of ignoring the best interests of everybody except themselves and deciding to hammer the final few nails into the coffin of local businesses in Harpenden.
The unpopular charges for on-street parking have been approved despite fierce opposition from retailers, residents and town councillors and will come into effect from February 17. They will apply from 9am to 6pm from Mondays to Saturdays, with no charge outside of those hours, with one 30-minutes free period allowed each day.
Retailers and headteachers have spoken out about their frustration and disappointment with the decision to bring in the charges, which were announced by SADC parking lead Cllr Helen Campbell last week.
Lara Wares, owner of High Street gift shop Threads, said she was shocked that the council would go ahead with the scheme despite such strong opposition and reasoning from residents, businesses, district councillors and Harpenden Town Council: “I am equally shocked at the insight this has given us into local politics, where democracy seemingly counts for nothing.
“Cllr Campbell claims that there is no evidence that parking charges reduce footfall which is just nonsense when so many councils around the country, including in Hertfordshire, operate schemes such as free parking after 3pm in order to increase footfall.”
Lara said she is very, very concerned about the impact this is going to have on retailers and local residents, particularly the elderly, the less mobile or the less tech-savvy.
Mary Durkin of Serena Hart, a gift shop in Bower’s Parade, said: “I have come back from a trade show and I am dismayed to see that we have been ignored by the council.
“I thought the Government was trying to grow the economy not shrink it!!
“I am seriously concerned about the future of my business. What are the council thinking?!”
Mary said she has seen the parking metres popping up around town and added “sometimes it’s not about the cost of the charges so much as the hassle for people”, especially those who don’t like paying by card or who have a disability which makes it difficult for them to use a machine.
Fiona Thomas who owns clothing boutique Oui said: “More than 9,000 people signed the petition [opposing the charges] which the council has ignored.
“Helen Campbell said she has made significant changes as a result of listening to the consultation, however parents can’t even pick up their children from primary schools free of charge.
“There is one 30 minute session but even though the council has started the charges at 9am rather than 8.30 the primary schools start to go into school at 8.55 so parents will have to pay for one session daily.
“I thought state school education was a free right for all. Harpenden is mainly used for essential amenities and therefore the charges are abhorrent.
“Do they not want a bustling high street? The council said they wouldn’t remove parking spaces but they have now removed five general parking spaces in Leyton Green and made them residents’ parking only. I am hoping that Harpenden Town Council can overturn this reprehensible regime.”
Headteacher of Harpenden Academy Lisa Davies said: “The introduction of these charges means that many of our staff, who are already on modest salaries, will now have to pay nearly £1,000 per year just to park near their workplace.
“This is an enormous financial burden, and we fear it will make it even harder to attract and retain staff. The reality is that for some, the additional cost will make their roles financially unviable, leading to staff shortages that will inevitably affect the quality of education we provide.
“We appreciate the council’s need to manage parking services effectively, but we urge the council to consider the unintended consequences of these charges on essential workers. Schools play a vital role in the community, and staff should not be penalised for simply trying to do their jobs.”
She said she would welcome the opportunity for the council to explore potential solutions, such as exemptions or permits for her staff: “I hope that the council will take these concerns seriously and reconsider aspects of the scheme before implementation. We are aware that some organisations such as the Harpenden Leisure Centre have parking for their staff. However, as school staff we do not.”
Harpenden MP Victoria Collins said: “In everything I do locally and in Parliament, my priority is representing and supporting local residents, businesses and organisations. I’ve been discussing these parking changes with people who’ll be impacted, hearing their concerns, and sharing those with the local council and in Parliament.
“Although I don’t have a direct say in parking decisions, I’ve been doing all I can to raise constituents’ concerns about these changes. Whether that’s locally, by discussing the parking charges with St Albans district council, Harpenden Town Council, and the Federation of Small Businesses, or in Parliament. And I’ll keep doing all I can to continue this. I have also written to the council to convene a meeting to discuss local government funding, raise ongoing concerns about parking and look for alternative solutions.
“Locally and across the country local councils are struggling after years of neglect by years of Conservative Governments. We have seen cuts after cuts, and quite frankly it’s the services provided by councils nationwide, and ultimately residents, that suffer as a result.
“I’ve repeatedly stressed to Government just how vital it is that they boost support for our local high streets and businesses.
“Regarding these parking changes specifically, I have raised how businesses like Threads and Oui are worried about how they’ll be affected. And on a broader level, I recently held a debate on the impact of the Government’s Autumn Budget on our high streets, during which I emphasised how important it is to provide funding for local services and therefore, to ensure that the Government properly fund local councils.
“As the debate on these parking charges has progressed, I’ve been calling for the council to do all they can to ensure the best outcome for all is secured. And I’ve been pleased to see the introduction of several changes, including free parking before 9am and for half an hour daily. I am however highlighting the ongoing concerns from local people.”
Revenue from charges will go towards the council’s on-street car parking services budget, which is currently running at a deficit.
