Brent Liberal Democrats call for April parking price rise to be scrapped

"Danny Alexander and Vince Cable enjoying a moment
together at the Lib Dem conference" (Reuters)

"Brent councillors will next week (Monday 21 January) debate the scrapping of Labour’s planned parking price rise in April. Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Cummins (Brondesbury Park) will argue that it is unfair and unacceptable to raise parking permit charges twice in just four months.

"Typical households have seen the cost of their residents’ parking permits double since Labour took control of the council in 2010. Labour increased the cost of buying parking permits this month (January) and has announced plans for another increase in April this year.

"Councillor Cummins said:

"Labour’s double whammy will hit local residents hard simply for the crime of wanting to park somewhere near their home. Two parking price hikes in four months is unfair and inappropriate, especially when many people’s incomes are frozen or reducing in real terms.”

“I hope other councillors will support the Liberal Democrat call to scrap April’s planned price increase."

"Cllr Cummins also hit out at the effect that Labour’s high parking charges are having on local High Streets. He said:

"You only need to speak to local traders to realise that every one of Labour’s parking price rises is another hammer blow to our High Streets. They already face ferocious completion from large shopping centres and the internet.

Labour should be making it easier for shoppers to stop by to pick up their groceries or get a hair cut. Instead Labour councillors have turned their back on our local shops."