The Times Series is campaigning for 30 Minutes Free parking across Barnet to help shoppers and traders across the borough.

Here, the councillors responsible for parking in Barnet, Hertsmere and Harrow offer differing opinions as to why a policy such as this can be a success, and why it cannot.

Harrow, a neighbouring London borough, has implemented a 20-minute free parking period.

Councillor Varshar Parmar, who is responsible for environment, crime and community in Harrow, says: "The 20 minutes free on-street parking has been a huge success in Harrow since it was introduced in July 2014.

"Local shopkeepers, businesses and residents have told me it has made a difference to them. People are now able to nip into the shops for their newspaper or pint of milk without having to worry about finding the change.

"We are living in tough economic times and we as a council are committed to helping residents as well as local shopkeepers and businesses.

"This is a small measure, but it is surprising how much of a difference it makes.

"The council ran a trial of the scheme, which proved to be successful before it was rolled-out to the whole borough.

"Under the scheme each vehicle is entitled to 20 minutes' free parking on-street across the borough a day. When somebody enters their registration they are given the option for a free 20-minute ticket."

In Hertsmere, shoppers are entitled to 30 minutes of free parking.

Councillor Jean Heywood, who is responsible for environment and transport in the borough, says: "Here in Hertsmere, we believe in providing 30 minutes of free parking outside local shops throughout the borough. 

"Whether it’s posting a parcel, picking up a paper, grabbing some groceries or a bite to eat, our residents find this time valuable as it enables them to pop to their local shops quickly and easily. 

"In most areas, visitors still need to display a valid ticket, obtainable from the pay and display machine, and also have a choice to purchase a ticket for a longer stay. However, for the vast majority of people, half an hour is enough time for their needs. 

"In addition, a shorter ticket time encourages a good turnover so more people can visit their local shops, which in turn supports our local businesses by increasing footfall and general trade."

But Barnet Councillor Dean Cohen, the chairman of the environment commitee, remains unconvinced.

He told us: "Let’s be clear, we want to see our high streets succeed. In Barnet, we’ve invested £4.2m to improve our town centres since 2011.

"Let’s also be clear that consumer habits have changed and will continue to change. The inexorable rise of the internet has challenged all retailers, even the country’s biggest and most well-known.

"Businesses themselves have to adapt to different forms of competition and meet the changing nature of the 21st century consumer. The council’s focus is to support them in this process. This is because the pull factors of the retail offer itself are more significant than parking.

"The way people access their local high streets is central to this debate, but is often overlooked. The vast majority of people – 77 per cent - travel to their local high streets on foot, by public transport or bicycle. 

"Only 19 per cent of journeys to town centres in outer London are made by car. Indeed, 60 per cent of respondents to our own parking consultation walk to their high street. Also, those who walk or travel by public transport spend more time and money than those who drive.

"London Councils research shows that traders everywhere tend to over-estimate how many of their customers travel by car and how much they spend, leading them to place undue significance on parking. For shoppers, traffic reductions and environmental improvements are often more important and this is where the council can have a role – influencing the look and feel of the high street.

"I regularly travel around the borough looking at how to optimise turnover and have made local changes, with tailored parking arrangements for different areas, including free parking periods. However, there is little evidence that whole-scale free parking will boost trade; in fact there are studies which claim the reverse.

"Either way, it is clear we are better off doing what we can to improve the shopping environment and help businesses adapt to the new reality."

To display a copy of our petition in your shop, e-mail aslater@london.newsquest.co.uk. You can also sign it online http://petitions.barnet.gov.uk/30MinutesFree/.

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