Barnet Council has recently launched a consultation on parking charges, which aims to encourage modal shift from private cars to public transport, cycling and walking. Key points are:
- Minimum charges will align with bus fares, so 1 hrs parking will cost the equivalent of two single bus journeys, i.e. £3.50 in total
- The charges will apply in some council owned locations that currently offer free parking
- Blue badge holders will continue to enjoy free parking
- Parking charges will apply to motorcycles
The consultation can be accessed here
Parking Charges Policy Consultation | Engage Barnet
and includes a survey which we encourage people to complete. In the “other” boxes you could also take the opportunity to raise the issue of the need for more cycle lanes and some of the following points:
- Aligning parking fees with bus fares is positive, but the policy could go further in recognition of the social, health and environmental costs to society of private car use versus other forms of transport.
- The fees being proposed are higher than at present and will generate additional revenue for the Special Parking Account – we would like to see a realignment of the council’s spend on highways to invest more in facilitating active travel, which would help meet targets to increase the share of journeys made by walking and cycling.
- The council should include a reduction in charges for cycle hangers in the review, as these are currently higher than the charges for some car parking permits in the borough
Barnet Cycling Campaign 