BARNET DRAFT PARKING POLICY
THE IMPACT ON HIGH BARNET
The proposal to introduce a standard charging system with, we assume, consistent length of stay, would have a disastrous impact on High Barnet shops. We are astonished that the Council should be considering reverting to a charging regime that demonstrably failed the town in the past. This response explains why it is imperative this should not happen. We have seen the submission from the Federation of Residents Associations in Barnet which points out the importance of the link between parking charges and the impact on town centre viability, as indicated in the Local Plan.
In and around High Barnet public parking provision can be described as follows:
1. Council on-street paid parking, which is almost nil south of the Church, very limited in the centre of the High St, but more availability at the north end of the High St.
2. Council Fitzjohn Avenue car park just off the southern end of the High St
3. Council Moxon St car park centrally located
4. Council Stapylton Rd car park west of the centre of the High St
5. Substantial on street spaces along Hadley Green north of the High St
6. The privately run Spires car park west of the centre of the High St
7. There is no free parking in the immediate area around the High St
The Spires has a remit in its lease to encourage shoppers, and though initially having very low charges when it opened in the late 80s, over the last 20 years or so charges have increased substantially as the car park has been contracted out to national private operators. At times charges have been both higher and lower that comparative Council provision.
High Barnet, unlike many other centres, has always had the disadvantage of no free parking, so it is especially important that that the available parking is managed efficiently and competitively so as not to prejudice the economic well-being of the town centre. There is substantial free parking at nearby centres (Borehamwood, London Colney, Potters Bar and supermarkets at New Barnet, Whetstone and Stirling Corner)
Prior to 2013 the available council parking was very inefficiently managed due to:
1. Standard charges and permitted stay applying throughout, with only on-street parking in the centre of the High St having limited stay.
2. Along the High St the limited number of spaces were consistently occupied with demand exceeding supply.
3, Moxon St and Stapylton Rd were consistently full with commuters to the town parking all day.
4 Fitzjohn Avenue and Hadley Green were little used.
Thus, the Council was falling way short of revenue potential and availability of short term parking was very restricted except for The Spires. There was a particular problem for shops around the Church at the southern end of the High Street with so little available short term parking nearby.
Following consultation between ourselves and the Council, in 2013 the parking arrangements were changed to maximise usage and make better provision for shoppers:
1. Moxon St was limited to a maximum of four hours with one hour free.
2. Fitzjohn Avenue was designated as a long term car park with the all-day charge lower than elsewhere.
3. Along Hadley Green a two-hour free period was introduced plus free after 14.30 hrs
4. Stapylton Rd remained the same.
The outcome was a major success and remains so today.
1. Moxon St experiences a high turnover of short stay visitors, a particular benefit to shops at the southern end of the town centre.
2. Fitzjohn Avenue fills with commuters parking all day, mainly to the town but also the station
3. Stapylton largely fills all day, mainly with commuters.
4. Usage along Hadley Green has increased substantially.
Thus, through variable pricing and limits on length of stay the council has successfully maximised income and provided a parking regime that well meets the needs of the town.
There may be a case to consider whether the 2013 arrangements still best meets the needs of the town. Such a review should take account of the potential impact of the loss of all the station car parking to housing, for which a scheme is currently being developed, and the possibility that parking at The Spires may be substantially reduced. Such a proposal emerged in 2023 but was dropped following the developer going into Administration
We are in no doubt that reverting to the standard model that previously applied would inflict immense damage on our shops and the indicative pricing structure would probably have negative effect on revenue as commuters and visitors transfer to The Spires or go to other centres with much more favourable parking charge regimes.
It is most disappointing that the paper arguing the case for the proposed charging regime has not even addressed the key issue of the impact on town centres. We consider it is imperative that these ill-judged proposals are dropped, and a further review undertaken with town centres at its heart, including recognising that variable charges have been proven to be vital in reflecting the local need.
Barnet Residents Association
November 2024