Kings Langley residents have launched a petition against new proposals to reduce the amount of free parking in the village.
Under the plans put forward by Dacorum Borough Council, free parking would no longer be available on most of the High Street or the car parks at Langley Hill and The Nap.
Those parking in the centre of the High Street between 8am and 6pm would be charged 80p for 30 minutes and £1.50 for an hour, with no return within two hours.
Free parking would still be available on the far ends of the street, but only for 30 minutes.
At the two car parks, the all-day free parking will be reduced to four hours only, also with no return within two hours.
If these plans go ahead, they will come into effect in November 2024.
Many villagers have objected to the proposals, with Kings Langley Parish Council also expressing their opposition. The petition against the plans has reached more than 2,470 signatures.
Resident Sue Cooper told Kings News: “When you add another £1.50 on top of what most people are already paying, it makes things very expensive.”
Another resident, Linda Devine, said: “If the free parking is taken away, our High Street shops would lose their customers, and our High Street would become another victim to the big supermarkets.”
Councillor Michela Capozzi, Dacorum Borough Council’s portfolio holder for corporate and commercial services elect, said: “These proposals have been developed through extensive consultation by the administration as we need to find a balance between maximising our income and supporting local town centres across the borough.
“For example, we listened to residents’ feedback that it is hard to find a space in the all-day car parks in Kings Langley once they are full. By reducing the stay to four hours, it will allow for a turnover of visitors to the High Street, which should increase visitor numbers and support the village centre.
“Under these new proposals, more than 80 per cent of the car parking spaces in Kings Langley will remain free.”
You can view the petition here.
She has just hit the nail on the head. 80% of parking spaces will remain free. Meaning 80% less footfall.
Let’s not sugarcoat this – its going to happen. The consultation is just paying lip service to the residents and business owners of Kings Langley high street of the council’s intentions.
Ala Sadiq Khan, who implemented ULEZ regardless of what the consultation concluded.