Highgate Liberal Democrat councillors have welcomed assurances from Haringey Council that they will consult properly on any extension of parking controls in the area – and have pledged to continue to ensure that residents’ voices are fully heard in the consultation process. The move follows reassurances given at a special meeting of the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee called by Highgate councillors to hear concerns raised by Lib Dem Leader Neil Williams and others over present proposals for a Highgate station scheme.

As well as local councillors, five residents groups expressed their views and concerns on the Council’s plans. Among the issues resolved were:

-Following requests from residents groups, residents in ‘the Cholmeleys’ and Southwood Lane would receive a consultation paper (with a clear ‘yes/no’ option on whether they want to be included in the Highgate Village Scheme) early in the New Year.

-Streets that have just been added to the process at the statutory stage of the consultation process in the proposed Highgate station scheme will be the subject of a full decision by the Executive at a later stage and not passed ‘on the nod’ by the Labour lead member.

-One road, Bishops Road, which was to have been left out of the consultation process, but could have been surrounded by streets with parking controls, is to be given a say at the second stage of the Highgate Station consultation.

Cllr Neil Williams comments:

“This was a useful meeting, and I am pleased that Haringey Council has now moved to address some of the concerns on the details of the Highgate station scheme. We must ensure that consultation is carried out in a sensible and rational manner, with the detailed proposals meeting the wishes of as many residents as is possible.

“We will continue to work to ensure that residents’ voices are heard – but that schemes are not foisted upon roads which do not want them.”