Traders unite against parking prices (From Haringey Independent)

Traders in Muswell Hill unite against parking prices

12:48pm Friday 12th October 2012 in News By Bruce Thain

Traders are uniting against high parking charges which they say are “hurting business”.

Nearly 100 traders in Muswell Hill have collected more than 2,000 signatures from customers against the increased parking charges.

Independent businesses say they have suffered months of poor trade following an increase in parking prices by Haringey Council from £1.40 to £3 per hour.

Chris Ostwald, owner of Crocodile Antiques and is spearheading the campaign, said: “The parking charges are really hurting business round here.

“The council say they are trying to prevent people from taking up these spaces for long periods of time, but that’s rubbish.

“We don’t have a problem with commuters using these spaces. We have a problem with people not coming to the area and shopping.

“I think the amount of support we have so far shows that people care about their local shops. Things are very difficult for independent shops and these charges just make the situation even worse.”

Traders want to see the charges abolished and instead have half an hour free parking which they feel will encourage people to visit the shops.

Last month MP for Hornsey and Wood Green Lynne Featherstone gave her support to businesses and said she would contact Haringey Council and call for changes to parking charges.