A Conservative MP says 30 minutes free parking on roads outside shops will help revitalise neighbourhood centres.

Harrow East MP Bob Blackman made the statement yesterday in a parliamentary question to Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles about free parking.

He asked the question just days after the Conservative administration of Harrow Borough Council scrapped plans for 20 minutes' free parking across the borough.

Mr Blackman asked: “Does he agree that one of the simplest ways for local authorities to operate is to offer 30 minutes of free parking on roads outside shops, as that will revitalise our neighbourhood centres?”

In response Mr Pickles said: “As I said earlier, I know from personal experience that the policy he suggests makes a difference.

“If we are to protect our town centres, particularly our smaller shops, this is exactly the kind of measure that needs to be introduced, and those councils that do not do so are failing in their duty.”

There has been anger at Harrow Council's announcement, with concerns that small businesses in the borough’s high streets will suffer without the help.

In response, Council leader Cllr Susan Hall says it is not the end of free parking in Harrow “by any stretch of the imagination”.

She says the council will look at the issue again but it needs to be done at the right time and as part of a boarder scheme to encourage people to shopping streets.