TRADERS in North Finchley have welcomed plans to cut the cost of parking in the High Street in the run up to Christmas.
Following a review of the parking regime in North Finchley, the council has announced plans to cut the cost of on-street parking by 35 per cent and will allow shoppers to park for free for up to 15 minutes in certain areas.
Cabinet member for environment Dean Cohen said he hoped the new parking regime would boost growth in the area, and make North Finchley “the place to shop,” over Christmas.
Leader of the North Finchley traders’ group Helen Michael said it was a “step in the right direction.”
Under a raft of trial changes being introduced from Monday November 19, the cost of on-street parking in the town centre will be reduced from £2 to £1.30, while eight loading bays will be free to use for up to 15 minutes.
A two-hour maximum stay rule will be imposed on several on-street bays and six credit card parking machines will be introduced in the new year.
The changes follow a reduction in the cost of off-street parking across the borough and are the result of a review of the parking regime in North Finchley, launched by Mr Cohen, who replaced Brian Coleman as cabinet member for environment in May.
Mr Coleman drew criticism from residents and traders last year when he raised the cost of on-street parking to £2 an hour.
Mr Cohen said: “I hope residents will make the most of their local high-street and take advantage of the wide variety of shops on offer in the run-up to Christmas and beyond.”
Ms Michael, who delivered a petition attacking the cost of parking said the changes were “brilliant.”
“I would have liked the price to come down a little more, “ she told The Press. “But I see Dean Cohen has worked very hard to put this together. It is a great step in the right direction.”
Barnet Today