The borough’s Lib Dems will carry on crusade to halt fee hike in April
The borough’s opposition party has vowed to continue a campaign to halt a second increase in parking charges this year after their plea was rejected by the council.
Brent Liberal Democrats launched their crusade after it was revealed that charges in the borough would go up this month and in April.
On Monday, the Lib Dems’ proposal to halt the second price hike was voted down by their Labour rivals.
Cllr Paul Lorber, leader of the Brent Lib Dems, said: “Labour has grabbed every opportunity to increase income from parking: introducing CCTV cars, putting parking meters in new streets and doubling the cost of residents’ permits for typical families in just two years.
“The Liberal Democrats will continue to campaign for a price freeze in April on behalf of the thousands of local residents affected by Labour’s prices rises.”
Under the new charges drivers wishing to use cash for pay and display meters in the borough face one of the biggest hikes, with the cost of parking for 20 minutes rising from 60p to £1.10.
While residents who own cars with relatively low emissions face some of the steepest price increases and households with two cars in the two lowest categories of emissions could pay up to £57 extra.
Last year, the council was accused of driving shoppers away after they installed meters in Bridge Road, East Lane and Preston Road, all in Wembley, despite concerns from traders about the effect on their business.
Cllr Jim Moher, lead member for highways and transport, said without the price increases other services in the council would suffer, children centres could close and bins collected less often.
He added: “We have been looking closely at realistic options to help businesses such as linear charging and reducing charges for the first 20 minutes.
“But completely free parking would be financially reckless and would undermine the whole council’s budget at a time that we are being forced to make cuts.”
The Lib Dems have launched a petition as part of the campaign to sign it visit http://signme.org.uk/783.
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