PROGRESS AT HIGHGATE CPZ CALL-IN

8.10.03

Highgate Lib Dems have welcomed assurances given over the Council’s controlled parking (CPZ) proposals at last night’s Scrutiny Committee meeting which reviewed the decision to implement a scheme in part of Highgate, following the ‘call in’ initiated by Highgate’s Lib Dem councillors.

The all-party Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed to refer the decision back to the Labour Executive, which runs the council, highlighting a number of concerns that must be addressed in the second stage of the consultation on the scheme. High among these concerns was the anomalous position of Priory Gardens and several other streets close to Highgate tube station. Residents of these streets have severe problems with commuter parking, but they rejected the Council’s initial proposals because they felt they would have allowed the problems to continue.

The Labour Lead Member responsible for the proposal agreed to a second stage consultation on the scheme in Cromwell Avenue and surrounding roads, which would give residents a ‘yes-no’ option on the consultation form. The Executive also faced pressure from all sides to ensure that the problems encountered in the original consultation are met by using the electoral roll as the basis for delivering the forms so that all residents have the opportunity to give their views on the proposals.

Lib Dem councillor Neil Williams comments:

“Although the Scrutiny Committee has very limited powers, this was a positive meeting which allowed all sides to put their views. I welcome the support from both Labour and Lib Dem members of the committee to ensure that there is a full and fair consultation at the second stage.

“With Camden not yet at the second stage of its consultation there is now an excellent chance of a transparent and democratic process, provided that the Labour executive sticks to its undertakings. We will be watching closely to ensure that the process is fair.”

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