Residents oppose 'piecemeal' CPZ proposal (From Harrow Times)

Residents oppose 'piecemeal' CPZ proposal

7:10am Thursday 18th June 2009 in

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ANGRY residents are fighting Harrow Council's proposals for parking restrictions in West Harrow.

West Harrow Residents' Group is opposed to a controlled parking zone (CPZ) in roads surrounding West Harrow Tube station.

Chairman Barry Jackson said: “The council asked nine years ago whether people in the area wanted it, and got a resounding 'no'.

“Now it is going street by street and putting its proposals through by stealth.

“There is no question there are significant problems in some parts of West Harrow, but our concern is this solution could exacerbate the problem instead of solving it.”

The proposals, which went before the Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel last night, included portions of roads having restrictions and others parts remaining as they are.

The scheme has been drawn up to try to address congested roads that are impassable at times, and the council says it is responding to a large number of residents who wanted a CPZ, including those who handed the council a 115-name petition in November 2007 demanding action.

Councillor Susan Hall, who is in charge of parking, said: “There are people who have petitioned for it, and people who are against it.

“CPZs and traffic problems cause divisions within communities all the time, it's how it is.

“We have looked at the results of the consultation, and are hoping the amended proposal put forward works.”

Rabia Rasheed, 35, of Marshall Close and a member of the residents' group, claimed the piecemeal introduction of a CPZ would cause bitter divisions among neighbours, and force residents to apply for the CPZ to be expanded.

She said: “It is going to have a knock-on effect, and I think the council is deliberately doing it.”

Just 37 per cent of residents responded to the questions about a CPZ in West Harrow, when it carried out a consultation that ended in May.

The residents' group raised a 300-signature petition against the scheme and won support from Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West.

Mr Thomas said: “By seeking to impose a one-size-fits-all solution, it could make parking problems worse. The vast majority are concerned it will exacerbate problems in the area rather than solve it.”

But Cllr Hall insisted every effort had been made to consult residents and said if people had replied to the consultation document, there would not be a problem.