Two Bushey councillors served their petition on Hertsmere Borough Council (HBC) as part of their bid to prevent a change to parking tariffs.
Bushey Conservative councillors Paul Morris OBE and Seamus Quilty launched the petition following HBC’s decision to increase charges at its car parks.
The parking charge, agreed by HBC in a meeting on Wednesday, February 28, will see motorists charged between £1.10 and £5.50 at Kemp Place and Bushey Country Club car parks.
The petition has now racked up 1,518 signatures. Cllrs Morris and Quilty, along with councillor Natalie Susman and Dean Russell, MP for Watford, whose constituency will expand to include Bushey North following boundary changes, met on Friday, April 5, to serve the petition on HBC.
Speaking at the occasion, cllr Morris said: “It’s a fallacy to say that the implementation will prevent cuts to public services because councils are not allowed to use income generated from car parks for anything other than the maintenance of car parks.”
Councillor Parveen Rani, portfolio holder for street scene, parks, leisure and culture, said: “We have tried to minimise impacts of rising inflation on our residents but were obliged to make some increases.
“This change brings these car parks in line with all the other car parks across the borough. The majority of free parking provided by the council is on-street and remains free of charge for short stay parking. This on-street parking provision is designed specifically for town and district centres and encourages high turnover of parking to maximise the footfall for retailers in those areas.”
Why should Bushey expect to receive special parking fee exemptions over other Hertsmere towns. If they succeed then the floodgates will open as the rest of Hertsmere will be expected to receive the same preferential treatment.
Why should Bushey receive preferential parking exemptions above other Hertsmere towns. If they were to succeed, the floodgates would open and the rest of Hertsmere towns could demand to be treated likewise.