CPZ is on the way

Right then lets talk about the Control parking Zone initiative. It now appears we will not get another public consultation after all. A plan has been drafted up and it will now go to internal consultation.

The man responsible for the proposed CPZ is a Mr Mario Lecordier. I have his contact details for those interested. The bottom line is that Mayfield Avenue IS included for CPZ, which on the face of it I’m not personally against. However I do have a problem with two features:

1. The CPZ will be active throughout the day, rather than one hour. Mario stated that a number of roads are afflicted with a combination of local workers, city commuters, students and shoppers and so a comprehensive period was necessary to catch all these buggers out.
2. Saturdays will ALSO be included, for the same reason, ie on the weekend you are capturing shoppers etc.

He was against applying different rules to individual roads as he felt this would be “confusing”. My opinion is that it is really that he is FOR an easy life and a one size fits all approach makes life very comfortable for him.

It is surely logical that streets near shopping areas should have CPZ on Saturdays whereas outlying streets can be restricted to Mon-Fri only. Additionally streets where commuters is the predominant problem should be allowed to have a one-hour period only. I cannot see the problem in this. Having lived in Stockholm where practically each street had its own unique set of rules with no discernable “confusion” I find his argument very weak. Finally where on earth are people going to park?? Local car parks are noticeable by there absence and Mr lecordier really preferred not to dwell on that subject.

Anyway, after much cajoling from the general public and councillors alike, he agreed to place a copy of the plans in Southgate Library within the next 10 days. You will have to ask for them at the reception. I suggest all who are interested should go there, have a look and then let me know of your concerns. I will group them up and fire them off to both Mario and Terry Smith our local councillor.

Edward Smith did seek to assure us that concerns will be reviewed during the councils consultation period, so this appears to be our last hope for at least amending what is coming.

Anthony