Free parking in Harrow town center to be scrapped at times – critics call ‘money-making scheme’

A north London council is under fire over its plans to scrap a number of free parking times in car parks across the borough. Opposition councilors have accused the administration of running a “money making scheme” which they say will have a negative impact on local businesses, shoppers and community groups.

The local Labor group is calling on Harrow Council to scrap plans to introduce evening and weekend charges at three town center car parks. The Tory-run council said the changes were due to “changing demographics” in the borough.

Speaking at a recent Cabinet meeting (May 21), Labour’s Cllr Peymina Assad called it “a clear money-making scheme” to make up for losses incurred on the council’s one-hour free parking offer. She said: “It looks like this Tory council is making it even harder for families to enjoy life, with a clear impact on those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.”

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Cllr Assad asked the administration if it would “put residents first” – one of the council’s three priorities – and reverse the plans, which are due to come into effect from June 3. Hinting that this was a loaded question, portfolio holder for finance and highways, Cllr David Ashton, said: “That’s like the question ‘When are you going to stop beating your wife?’, which you can’t really answer “.

He added: “We put residents first, we look at the tax pattern. We are very careful and very determined to have one hour of free parking at all times in the neighborhood – this is a major benefit for residents.”

The proposal includes changes across the borough, including the removal of free parking at certain times at the following car parks:

• Cambridge Road
• Davy House (Lyon Road)
• Belmont Circle
• Peel House
• Grimsdyke Road
• Palmerston Road
• Greenhill Way

The Labor group is specifically fighting against the removal of free evening parking after 6.30pm in Greenhill Way and Davy House (Lyon Road) car parks in Harrow town centre, as well as the removal of free parking Monday to Saturday evenings and all day. Sunday at Palmerston Road car park in Wealdstone town centre. They claim these car parks provide a “real boost” to the local community.

Harrow Labor Group leader Cllr David Perry said: “I and all Labor councilors oppose these measures to remove elements of free parking in key areas of economic activity in Harrow and Wealdstone town centres.”

He added: “We believe the consultation period was completely inadequate and feel this is an unnecessary penalty on the people of Harrow. We hope the petitions will prompt the Conservative council to reopen the consultation period.”

Labor started a petition which has been signed by more than 1,500 residents, which they say shows “widespread opposition” to the changes. The group said: “These car parks are heavily used by local residents during weekends and evenings to support the day and night economies. faith facilities are unacceptable”.

Cllr Ashton said Labor “made no comment” about the plans when they were first proposed and before they were approved. He added: “If you have concerns it would have made more sense to raise them before the plans were agreed. Cllr Assad said Labor voted against the changes at the recent full council meeting (May 16).

Leader of Harrow Council, Cllr Paul Osborn, said: “I think Harrow offers a very generous parking regime, one of the best in London for people who want to park and use our local shops and restaurants.”

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