Lynne Featherstone

Local Liberal Democrats have reacted with amazement at comments made by a senior Labour councillor saying that there are no parking troubles in Crouch End, when public demand has forced Haringey Council to introduce a controlled parking zone (CPZ) in the area.

At last night's planning meeting, Cllr Ray Dodds argued against in-depth surveys commissioned by Haringey Council that show Crouch End is experiencing severe parking stress and refused to oppose an unpopular development that council officers believed would worsen parking problems.

Liberal Democrats are saying this shows how out of touch Labour councillors are with issues of major public concern.

Cllr Martin Newton, Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson, comments:

"Crouch End has been besieged by parking problems since summer last year. Petitions, deputations to Haringey Council, local press coverage have all come from concerned local residents yet Cllr Dodds seems to be unaware of the most talked about issues in Haringey."

Cllr Lyn Weber, local Crouch End councillor, adds:

"Cllr Dodds is clearly out of touch with his Environment cabinet colleague Cllr Brian Haley. He appears to be oblivious to the fact that a statutory CPZ consultation has just been undertaken in Crouch End. This just demonstrates that the Labour group is out of touch, not only with real people, but even their own Cabinet Members."

The planning application to demolish garages and build houses on the Cecile Park site had been fiercely opposed by residents with the support of Crouch End Liberal Democrat David Winskill. Planning Officers recommended to refuse permission. The committee accepted this and Cllr Dodds, who abstained, was isolated in a minority of one.

Councillor David Winskill adds:

"It's time that developers got the message that these sites are totally unsuitable for housing developments. They should give up and let residents get their lives back."