Local resident Asha Kaur, Cllr Katherine Reece, Cllr David Schmitz, Cllr Richard Wilson and Cllr Karen Alexander campaigning for 30 minutes of free parking on local High Streets

We are very lucky in our area that we have a number of excellent high streets with their own character, like Crouch End, Muswell Hill and Green Lanes.  These shopping areas are what make our neighbourhoods such special places to live – bringing together the local community, and creating vital jobs.  However, the current tough economic times and the unstoppable growth of internet shopping are making life very tough for local shopkeepers.

So with local shopkeepers complaining of falling trade protecting and enhancing our high streets should be one of Haringey Council’s top priorities. Instead, local traders say the council’s parking policies are choking off business, and are furious about the Labour’s decision to double parking charges in Crouch End, Muswell Hill and Green Lanes from £1.40 to £3 an hour.

Last year, 5,000 local residents signed a petition organised by Muswell Hill shopkeepers to cut the parking charges. The campaigners secured a debate at Haringey’s Civic Centre, but were ignored by the Council’s Labour leadership.

Cllr. Richard Wilson comments:

I believe that with shops under pressure, now is clearly the wrong time to squeeze cash out of local high street shoppers. This short-sighted policy will push people towards big supermarkets and out-of-town shopping malls where parking is free or very cheap.

To support our local shops, local Lib Dem councillors have now launched a campaign to get 30 minutes free parking on our high streets. We want local people to be able to stop and shop, without paying a £3 parking charge to get a £2 cup of coffee. The campaign has received huge support, with nearly 1,000 residents signing up already.