Sam Hearn describes the council offer as too little, too late
Suspended parking in front of police station to be restored for a day
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Hounslow Council have announced that, once again, they are to suspend parking charges in the centre of Chiswick and across the borough on Christmas Eve.
In addition the suspension of the parking bays in the area in front of the police station is too be lifted.
Cllr Hanif Khan, Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Transport and One Hounslow said, "There will be no charge for parking in bays controlled by the London Borough of Hounslow where Pay & Display and/or PaybyPhone is accepted, all day on Christmas Eve. In addition, I have asked for the suspension of the parking spaces outside the police station in Chiswick to be lifted over the Christmas period."
Bank Holiday enforcement will take place on 25, 26 and 28 of December 2020 and 1 January 2021. On all other days normal enforcement will take place. Enforcement by CCTV cameras monitoring bus lanes, yellow box junctions etc will continue across the festive period.
There has been a dismissive response to the move from local Conservative councillors who claim that the administration in Hounslow did not engage with them after they produced a detail report with recommendations on how to improve the trading environment in Chiswick including at Christmas time.
Cllr Sam Hearn, Transport Spokesperson of the Conservative Councillors Group said, “Every year at about this time Hounslow Council announces the suspension of the Christmas Eve parking charges. Chiswick's Conservative councillors welcome this now traditional gesture but sadly as always it is too little too late. These are after all the same people who have removed ALL the stop and shop parking in Turnham Green Terrace and Devonshire Road. There is more than a whiff of hypocrisy in the air.
"The 'Thriving Retail Economy in Chiswick'' report published earlier this year contains a long list of recommendations and suggestions explaining for how much more could be made of festivals and celebration days to revitalise Chiswick High Road. Despite some initial polite noises Hounslow Council has failed, despite prompting, to engage with councillors Barr, Biddolph and Giles and the other authors of the report.”
A local shop owner said, “They do this every year so it is no big deal. What they have forgotten is there is a pandemic on and this will just make the busiest shopping day of the year busier. They should have waived parking enforcement for at least a week around Christmas to help spread out the crowds but they don't want to give up the revenue it brings in.”
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December 15, 2020
