18 Apr 2025
The unprecedented move by Harpenden Town Council to embark on a legal challenge against SADC’s controversial on-street parking charges looks like becoming one of the flagpole issues of the forthcoming May elections.
Elections are taking place for four positions on the town council, with vacancies for one councillor in North Ward and West Ward, and two councillors in South Ward.
Candidates for the Local Conservatives have offered their opinions on the issue, and unsurprisingly have unanimously condemned the policy.
Sam Spiri (Harpenden South) described May’s ballot as “the parking charge election”, adding: “Every business in the town is harmed by these charges and should’ve been listened to before they came into place.
“Ultimately what these charges have done is taken a social asset away from residents. Whether or not this has raised revenues is undetermined at the moment but even if it has – which is unlikely considering this Lib Dem council’s abysmal record – it still doesn’t make this change ethical, or positive.
“More importantly though this charge just shifts the problem of overcrowding elsewhere. It’s now even more difficult for commuters to get a parking space at the train station, and residential roads are more congested. Parking charges don’t work, haven’t worked, and will not fix the fact that we have insufficient infrastructure.
“I’ll fight tooth and nail to repeal the charges because that is why I’m running in this parking charge election.”
Millen Cvetkovic (Harpenden West) said it had been evident from the beginning that footfall was significantly down and the town centre was much quieter.
“Having lived in Harpenden for over 30 years I cannot recall a time when parking spaces are so plentiful!”
He said the “intended purpose” of the charges, namely to support active travel, has not happened, and questioned why SADC had been losing money on their existing parking operation in the first place.
“I would request that they provide the following information: What is the monetary value of the shortfall these specific charges are intended to fill? How much has the scheme cost to implement? How much is it costing to police/operate/manage? How much revenue has it raised to date and is the revenue stream on target to meet the shortfall they have declared?
“I suspect they won’t answer, because it probably won’t fill their coffers and they won’t want to admit this. People have changed their behaviour and are staying away.”
It was the lack of consideration of the overwhelmingly negative public consultation by the Liberal Democrat administration which Millen says prompted him to enter local politics and hold them to account.
“If elected I am open to meeting and discussing concerns with stakeholders who have been severely impacted by these egregious charges.
“I will then continue to apply pressure on the Lib Dems at every opportunity to reverse the charges, continue to expose the dishonesty and unaccountability of those responsible for implementing the charges and work with colleagues to develop a fully costed plan to cover any budgetary shortfall by other means.”
John Drake (Harpenden South) said the charges had triggered a downturn which threatened one of Harpenden’s most attractive features, its vibrant, diverse and busy High Street, and supported the town council’s legal challenge.
As a charity ship volunteer, he said he had witnessed a decline in donations, sales and volunteers as a consequence.
“There is no evidence of more sustainable travel, only loss of footfall , leading to lower retail revenue which will inevitably lead to potential business closure. The Lib Dems have introduced a negative spiral. As shops close, it will become even less attractive to come into town.”
With 95 per cent of respondents opposing the charges in the public consultation, John felt the Lib Dems completely misunderstood Harpenden’s population.
“The council says it wants to encourage more sustainable travel and that’s absolutely right for those who can, have time and want to, but for many residents this is not an option.
“This is particularly true of the 4,000 residents over 70, many of whom live over a mile away from the town centre, with steep hills on their walk routes.
“Young families, with both parents working also struggle. They don’t have the time to walk with toddlers and young children into town, particularly if they live on the outskirts of Harpenden or in local villages, and many cannot afford the charges on already stretched budgets.”
Aaron Jacob (Harpenden North) said he was firmly against the charges: “Residents are against them, businesses are against them, and they are all-round bad for Harpenden. I am a solicitor in my family-run High Street legal practice, so I absolutely get it when it comes to being a High Street business.
“Given the level of opposition, it is very hard to see how the consultation was taken into account.
“To ensure a thriving High Street, we must help businesses and work with them. I will do whatever I can to reverse the parking charges. I eagerly await the outcome of the Judicial Review, but I call on SADC to rescind the charges now.”
St Albans Green Party declined to comment on the issue on behalf of candidate Mario May, who is standing in Harpenden West.
The Liberal Democrat candidates for the town council issued a joint statement ahead of the election. Much of this did not focus on the parking charges, so we have opted to use just the relevant material in this story.
It was submitted by Kevin Timmons (Harpenden North), Zoe Hollowood and Nikolaus Rath (Harpenden South) and Suheil Shahryar (Harpenden West).
They said: “We are all proud to be standing for election to Harpenden Town Council as Liberal Democrats who will always put our town, local people and businesses first.
“Ensuring that Harpenden remains a thriving town for businesses, local people and visitors will be at the heart of what we do.
“When it comes to parking, we are all committed to working collaboratively and constructively with local residents, businesses and St Albans district council to play our part in ensuring parking works for Harpenden, and we support a review of the system.
“If elected, we will use our collective platform to listen, provide feedback and continue the work of the town council which has already engaged regularly with local businesses.
“We’ll also continue to stand up for the protection of simple, in-person ways of using local services, from parking to banking, for those who are unable to use or less confident using technology including smartphones.
“Engaging with local people of all ages and backgrounds is also vital to us as Liberal Democrats. That’s why we knock on doors all year round, and deliver leaflets precisely to be in touch with the whole community online and in person.
“Liberal Democrat town councillors have also actively engaged across the community through local organisations and events such as the Seniors Fair and partnerships such as with the Harpenden Hopper.
“As active local residents we have already received a range of feedback on the current parking system, and it’s important all those voices are heard.
“If elected, we hope to use our decades of experience and our passion for Harpenden to ensure that local people and businesses are heard and that Harpenden Town Council works for everyone.”
