I would like to thank all the residents and traders from Headstone North and North Harrow, who signed my petition to lower the parking charge in Cambridge Road car park from 80p to 20p for the first hour.

I handed in the petition, containing more than 1,300 signatures, last year — and it was debated by Harrow Borough Council’s overview and scrutiny committee last week.

I am delighted to report that as a result of this debate, it will be recommended to cabinet that a two-year trial of the lower parking charge now takes place.

Assuming this recommendation is accepted, this is fantastic news. Traders and residents have done so much work trying to make North Harrow more attractive for shoppers, and with more reasonable and competitive car park charges the area should hopefully, prove even more attractive.

I was also delighted to speak on the Conservative group’s petition against the proposed closure of Harrow Museum, which was debated at the same meeting. We are pleased the council’s Labour administration has, for the moment, shelved plans to close it and that a further bid for more Lottery funding has been submitted.

But we must remain resolute to ensure our museum is never again considered for closure — it is too important an asset to Harrow to lose.

Cllr Janet Mote

Con/Headstone North Harrow Borough Council