Bushey car parking

Changes are being proposed to parking in Bushey and Bushey Heath in line with parking schemes which have already been successfully introduced in Hertmere's other towns.

Charges are to be introduced in the public car parks, while ticket machines are set to be installed along the High Street and High Road areas, athough parking here will remain free.

The charges affect the three main public car parks: one in Kemp Place, and two along the High Road at St Peters and the Rutts. Charges will apply Monday to Saturday from 8am until 6.30pm at the following rates:

• 35p - up to two hours
• 65p - two to four hours
• 85p - four to six hours
• £5 - more than six hours

Notices about the proposed changes are due to be published at the end of this week (13 October) and members of the public have until 3 November to raise any objections.

Annual permits for the car parks can be bought for £400 per year for those working within Bushey and Bushey Heath, but these are limited to a maximum of 50 per cent of the car park.

On street parking will remain free along the High Street and High Road areas but is set to be limited to one hour with no return within two hours. Ticket machines would be installed and drivers would still need to take a ticket to show their time of arrival, but there would be no charge. Again displaying a ticket will be a requirement between Monday to Saturday 8am to 6.30pm. Some bays within Bushey Heath will be limited to residents only to cater for those who do not have off-street parking.

Richard Grove, Head of Planning and Building Control, said: "We recognise that car parking has been a problem and we will be looking to take action to tackle those who flout the restrictions. There will be additional enforcement in the area, but ultimately the aim is to keep traffic on the move and free up more spaces for short term parking. Parking will remain free in streets outside shops, although limited to a specific time. Where we have introcuded this type of scheme in other parts of the Borough it has proved very successful."

Councillor Dr Spencer Pitfield, portfolio holder for Transportation and Planning, said: "With the introduction of the changes, additional enofrcement will be carried out in order to improve the turn-around of spaces, prevent unauthorised all-day parking, improve highway safety and alleviate congestion.

"Local people have asked for additional enforcement and the package of measures proposed is designed to achieve this in a cost-effective way which ensures consistency in both Bushey and Bushey Heath."

Anyone who wants to comment on the proposals can do so by writing to the Head of Planning and Building Control, Hertsmere Borough Council, Civic Offices, Esltree Way, Borehamwood, WD6 1WA by 3 November.

Copies of the draft Orders together with plans and a statement of reasons for making the Orders can be inspected during normal office hours, Mondays to Fridays inclusive, at the Civic Offices, Elstree Way, Borehamwood, WD6 1WA and at the Area Information Office, Bushey Community Centre, High Street, Bushey.

All objections will be reported to a future meeting of the Council’s Executive before any decisions are taken on how to proceed with the suggested changes.