Potters Bar car parking

Changes are being proposed to parking outside of shops in Potters Bar in line with the parking scheme that has operated successfully in Radlett.

It is planned that on-street parking on Barnet Road, Darkes Lane, part of Hatfield Road, High Street, part of Mutton Lane and Southgate Road will change to allow shoppers and short-stay visitors to park outside the shops for longer.

On street parking will remain free however the limit will be lifted to allow shoppers and short-stay visitors the opportunity to park outside the shops and businesses for up to two hours. Drivers will still need to take a ticket to show their time of arrival, but there would be no charge for the first hour and £1 for the second hour, with no parking over two hours. Charges will apply Monday to Saturday from 8am until 6.30pm.

The proposal also plan to reduce the daily parking charges within all council owned off street car parks and in some long-stay on-street parking places from £7.50 to £5. The reductions are planned at: Baker Street, Billy Lows Lane, Byng Drive, Cotton Road, Daleside Drive, Hatfield Road, Heather Way, High Street, Highview Gardens, Mutton Lane, Salisbury Close, St John's Close, The Drive, The Walk, Whaley Road and Wyllyotts Place.

Notices about the proposed changes are due to be published at the end of this week (Friday 23 February) and members of the public have until Friday 16 March to raise any objections.

The resident's permit scheme within the Potters Bar Controlled Parking Zones will be changed to a maximum of four permits per household and to introduce new parking permit charges, as follows:

First resident permit - free
Second resident permit - £30
Third resident permit - £60
Fourth resident permit - £90

Richard Grove, Head of Planning and Building Control, said: "We recognise that restricting car parking outside the shops has not been ideal and we believe this new system will make it easier for shoppers and further help local businesses. Parking will remain free in streets outside shops and people will be able to pay to stay for an additional hour. Where we have introduced this type of scheme in other parts of the borough it has proved very successful."

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, Elstree Way, Borehamwood, WD6 1WA by Friday 16 March.

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 between 9.30am and 2pm Monday to Friday at the information office, Wyllotts Centre, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar.

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.