Little businesses have a hard job surviving business rates, red tape and parking restrictions – let alone the extra challenges of the recession. So – very good to see a glimmer of common sense on a local parking issue on which I have been corresponding with Transport for London for some time!

Archway Road – a fantastic road, beautiful houses, jolly interesting little shops – always fighting the volume of traffic as a main arterial road. Not surprisingly (and rightly) this is a red route. But even on a red route – between 10am and 4pm there is one hour parking outside parades of shops up and down the road. However, there is no need for there to be a cut off at 4pm on the side that bears the traffic load in the morning going into town – not in the afternoon when there is virtually no traffic at all. (One bit has already had that restriction post 4pm removed).

The simple request to remove the post 4pm restriction on the remaining parade of shops on that side of the road so customers can come and shop – had fallen on deaf ears. But at last – following a strong letter to Boris – I hear from Transport for London that they are coming to survey the traffic etc in the light of my most recent request. And my request is obviously based on representations from the small businesses whose customers melt away each time one falls foul of a ticket. A £60 penalty charge is pretty heavy duty punishment for shopping in your local shops – so people are changing their shopping habits. These little parades of shops are vital for people living in the area – let alone the jobs they provide for local people.

We need to preserve and help the shops we have – at the same time – making sure parking does not stop traffic flow on important routes.

I look forward to common sense winning the day in due course!