Last week I drove to Golders Green and parked opposite Boots. I then attempted to ‘pay and display’, which involved going to four separate parking meters, two of which were displaying a message they were not working and two of which simply did not take my coins.

A passer-by then informed me these meters no longer take coins and I would have to use my mobile phone to call a service that would then require me to supply credit or debit card details. This was assumed, of course, that I had a mobile phone and a credit card on my person.

Do I really want to stand on the public footpath speaking my card details into a mobile phone? It is also necessary to supply the number of the parking meter — more fumbling around for bits of paper, pen, etc. to record the number before returning to the safety of your car if you don’t want to stand on the street.

Barnet’s parking and enforcement document states: “7.2.7 Overall an aim of parking controls is to create a safer environment for all road users.” It also states: “7.1.10 The Council has agreed to set up a working party (including elected members) to carry out detailed work on parking issues to look at how CPZs are working and delivering for local communities, and to consider future options relating to cashless systems, charging, permits and vouchers and enforcement and representation issues.”

I look forward with interest to read the crime figures for our shopping areas now and predict that theft of mobile phones, credit cards, etc will escalate due to this ridiculous scheme.

When did this scheme come into force and was there a consultation procedure? If so, I would like to see the results of such consultation.

Anna Farlow
Lyndale Avenue, Cricklewood