Haringey Liberal Democrats were today celebrating a major victory in their campaign to extend the consultation process on the CPZs and other parking schemes planned across the borough. Following a public meeting in Crouch End, Labour councillor Brian Haley bowed to pressure from Lib Dems and residents and agreed to extend the consultation process on the controversial parking schemes.

Councillor Haley explained at a packed public meeting at the Holy Innocents Church that the Council’s timetable for taking a final decision on the CPZ schemes has been pushed back from September to November, to allow a new stage of ‘communication’ to take place.

Councillor John Oakes, Lib Dem Spokesperson for Community Involvement, comments:

“This U-turn is a fantastic victory, but we cannot allow ourselves to reduce the pressure on Labour. It has been quite clear from the beginning that Labour are determined to ignore residents and impose these parking schemes.

“It is only with huge reluctance that they have given in on the timing of this issue, and they have shown that they cannot be trusted to conduct an adequate consultation without our scrutiny. Now we must ensure that we continue to press Labour on this issue so that the residents and businesspeople of Haringey get the right result, street by street, whether they are for or against a CPZ scheme. “

Councillor Wayne Hoban, Deputy Leader of the Lib Dem Group, comments:

“This Labour-led council has consistently failed to properly consult with local residents on major local issues such as CPZs, traffic management and education. Although we are pleased that Labour has finally seen sense and have indicated that they are now willing to widen the CPZ consultation process, we will remain vigilant to ensure that the outcome accurately reflects the views of the local community.”