This topic had to come up sooner or later so I thought I would get in there first -
What are everyones views of the new parking restrictions in Potters Bar. Lots of ugly parking meters been installed. I wonder if we will see more traffic wardens and what the penalities will be. Does anyone know how much it will now cost to park for 1 hour?
I thought the first hour was supposed to be free (?)
Quote:One Hour Free Parking Saved
At tonights meeting of Hertsmere Borough Council, the retention of one hour free parking outside shops was approved. This follows 365 objection letters and a 6000 signature petition against the proposals to charge for that hour. Ticket machines will unfortunately still be installed but these will issue tickets freely.
(27/7/05)
-<a href='http://www.pottersbar.org' target='_blank'>www.pottersbar.org</a>
Well there you go then !
I'm actually surprised that PB has gotten away with free parking for so long - it had to happen sooner or later.
I actually think it's a good idea as I think it will be better for the traders in Potters Bar. It's becoming a nightmare to find parking in PB (e.g. Darkes Lane) and I think it's primarily due to people using the station and traders/employees themselves hogging the free parking spaces all day - this leaves no spaces for genuine shoppers. Having the first hour free *should* encourage people to be a bit more responsible about parking now. Lets face it, PB is hardly a shopping mecca where you would want to spend hours on end browsing and shopping etc. PB has a range of 'essential' shops and facilities that most people need (e.g. go to bank, post office, newsagents etc.) and up to now it's been difficult to even do those things. My theory will only work however if the pricing structure is such that the price of long term parking (over a few hours) is sufficiently prohibitive.
<!--QuoteBegin-mungroo+Jan 26 2006, 08:27 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>
QUOTE (mungroo @ Jan 26 2006, 08:27 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> It's becoming a nightmare to find parking in PB (e.g. Darkes Lane) [/quote:6018a98209]
If they policed the free period there wouldn't be a problem - but that costs people and there's no profit from it. There's no shortage of spaces but everyone wants to resonate between the two roundabouts and find somewhere within a few feet of their selected shop these days ... Narrowing the pavement near the post office and introducing 45 degree parking would have given more space. I'd hate to think the end of free parking would decrease trade and give the supermarkets more power
On that subject I notice Tesco have introduced CCTV to police the car park, much like the congestion zone it times your numberplate in and out and excessive stays cause a fine through the post. That might have been a solution the council could have implemented too.
slimgym
do you not think that there is a problem with traders taking up spaces for the whole day ?
<!--QuoteBegin-slimgym+Jan 26 2006, 05:59 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (slimgym @ Jan 26 2006, 05:59 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> If they policed the free period there wouldn't be a problem - but that costs people and there's no profit from it.
On that subject I notice Tesco have introduced CCTV to police the car park, much like the congestion zone it times your numberplate in and out and excessive stays cause a fine through the post. That might have been a solution the council could have implemented too. [/quote:243503b1f2]
Exactly - the main issue about all of this is profit. I doubt the council would have implemented this parking if they couldn't make any money from it.
Secondly, I hope Tesco have publicised this new parking scheme of their if it does indeed record numberplates, I haven't heard a thing about it, but I try to avoid that shop as much as I can.
I doubt the council would have considered a network of numberplate filming cameras around the Darkes Lane area, it would have been too expensive and they never would have seen any "return".
I heard from someone yesterday that a two hour parking charge at 35p has gone up to 80p for two hours?
Kind Regards!
Danny.
One of the problems facing small traders regarding the parking meters is that they are losing out on passing trade. Motorists unfamiliar with the area see meters and drive on, not realising the first hour is free!
Yes, I agree, but short of putting up huge banners everywhere, there is not much we can do to advertise that the 1st hour is free.
Only trouble now is that the long term parkers come and park in our road which is a no through road - off Baker Street and cause havoc with the dust carts. There seem to be more and more cars appearing each week. If you are going to drive to work\station please pay the parking fee and leave our residential roads alone.
I really do sympathise with the predicament. . We have a cul de sac problem where one or to selfish/thoughtless individuals in the road have left cars/vans blocking dustcart access. in some cases preventing access for two weeks. There are only 2 solutions
Where you know who they are , a polite request, and reoccurrance should be dealt with by a stiff letter. It will also help to elect the support of other residents who have been equally disadvantaged.
Where You do not know the owner , get support of local residents. Enquire of HCC and any planned local parking changes, and communicate your problem. This should be followed by a polite note on the windscreen from the local residents requesting that parking elsewhere would be appreciated and explaining the problem. Retain a list of offending registrations. Upon reoccurrance let down 3 tyres. Unlikely they will park there again.
Love it. Only trouble is that the guy who parks outside my house the most sits in his car with his flask and has his breakfast before he wanders off to work (I am then away from the house for most of the day). Letting his tyres down or knocking on his window while he is consuming his breakfast might get me into all sorts of bother if he spills his hot drink.
What I don't get with the free parking for an hour is there doesn't seem to be any way of paying once the free hour is up. There is a slot for coins, but no charges in view of what to pay. I was in the hairdressers the other day, having gone in for a cut and blow dry; then decided to have my hair highlighted. Consequently I had to go out in the cold with slightly damp hair to move the car somewhere where I could pay for longer parking in order to get my hair finished. Unfortunately, there were several pay and display parking spaces opposite the hairdressers in the High Street cordoned off, something to do with roadworks and I then had to park in the car park for Oakmere Park. I now have a storming cold. Why don't the Council thinks these things through properly!