Haringey Liberal Democrats have been calling for 4 days of free parking at Christmas on local high streets, shopping areas and council car parks. The Labour council have rejected those calls and are instead only offering half-price parking on 7 days in the run up to Christmas but only if you use a mobile phone to pay.

The opposition say that the Christmas parking proposals put forward by Labour do not go far enough and that there should be free parking for 4 days in the run up to Christmas at local shopping areas for everyone not just for people who use mobile phones to pay.

The Lib Dems have called for the free parking in the run-up to Christmas to help local traders who are struggling and to encourage residents to do their Christmas shopping locally. The Liberal Democrats have previously campaigned for 30 minutes of free parking on local high streets and launched a petition calling for the measure which has been signed by hundreds of people.

Last year the Lib Dems also submitted a motion to a council meeting calling for free parking in the run up to Christmas to be followed by 30 minutes of free parking on the borough’s high streets all year round. The idea was rejected by Labour councillors. Haringey’s Labour politicians are still refusing to budge on the question of lowering parking charges permanently.

Cllr Richard Wilson, Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition, comments:

“Whilst any reduction in parking charges at Christmas is to be welcomed, the proposal put forward by Labour does not go far enough. We suggested free parking for 4 days in the run-up to Christmas but the council have instead gone for a few days of half-price parking for people who decide to pay by mobile. What about everyone else?

“Many other councils across the country give shoppers free parking on local high streets for several days in the weeks running up to Christmas, why can’t Haringey do the same?

“Local small businesses and traders need all the help they can get to keep our high streets distinctive and thriving. We think that Labour can and must do more to support our local high streets.

“I encourage residents to do as much Christmas shopping as they can locally and to support our campaign for 30 minutes of free parking on local high streets.”

Local Lib Dem MP, Lynne Featherstone, comments:

“Half price parking on weekends in December is better than nothing – but doesn’t go far enough to help local trader and shoppers. £1.50 an hour is still more than it costs to park in a superstore car park, for instance.

“The local Lib Dem call for four days of completely free parking would have made much more sense – it would have really incentivised shoppers and given our local high street traders a much needed boost.

“The Haringey Lib Dems and I will continue to support our traders through our campaign for 30 minutes free parking, and cheaper high street parking more generally.”