PARKING problems in the borough was a hot topic at a Finchley and Golders Green residents’ forum.

Concerns were raised about blocked parking meters in Golders Green and Temple Fortune which are not accepting coins.

Mervyn Bartlett, transport and regeneration manager said it is an issue affecting the whole borough.

He said the council’s maintenance team repair broken machines on a daily basis however, up to a “fifth could be waiting for repair at any given time.”

Mr Bartlett admitted this is “not the level of service we want to provide” and said the council has made a “big effort” to improve the situation.

Consequently, figures were read out demonstrating 20 out of 23 machines in Golders Green were working as of Wednesday and 23 out of 24 were working in Temple Fortune.

One resident said the cashless system whereby drivers pay for a ticket using a mobile phone is not user friendly for the elderly, people with disabilities and those with hearing difficulties.

She said there have been many reports of residents who “simply cannot use the system.”

The matter was noted by the council.

Nevertheless, a document handed out at the meeting states: “It is the case that any motorist who wished to park but cannot or will not pay by phone will have to move elsewhere.”

In answer to a request made by one resident living in East Finchley, the assembly was told how much revenue the council expects to raise after increasing parking charges and abolishing free parking bays.

It is estimated to bring in £590,000 from visitor permits, £830,000 from resident parking, £353,000 from business permits and £565,000 for getting rid of free bays.

One resident said if the free bays in Gurney Road, East Finchley are removed it will have an effect on elderly people whose carers use them on a daily basis.

He said: “If the council decide to abolish them I have a very strong feeling that residents of Gurney Drive will want to withdraw from the Controlled Parking Zone.”

Councillor John Marshall said Councillor Brian Coleman, cabinet member for environment, is “very happy for any road that wants to opt out of a CPZ to do so”.

Residents wanting their road to be removed from a CPZ can send a letter or a letter and petition to council officers.