Helping residents

5:43pm Wednesday 16th January 2002

In response to JR Alexander's question Where are commuters supposed to park?' (Times Letters, January 10), most stations, including Woodside Park, still have car parks.

Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) were introduced because residents who live near stations and shopping centres complain that they cannot park near their homes because of all-day parking by commuters and others.

In shopping centres, CPZs also provide short-term parking to promote trade and revitalise our town centres.

The problems around outer London stations are bound to get worse if congestion charging is introduced in central London. The council is acting now to protect residents' interests. All CPZs are subject to public consultation before implementation and again after a period of operation.

Councillor Geof Cooke

Cabinet member for environment,

Barnet Council