SHOPKEEPERS in Temple Fortune and East Finchley joined forces last night as they pleaded with Barnet Council to overturn parking services which are driving customers away and "killing businesses".

Shop owner Lorretta Paterson presented the council with more than 500 signatures from fellow traders and customers who want to save the pay-and-display meters and lower parking charges after witnessing their footfall decrease dramatically since the pay-by-phone system was introduced.

Ms Paterson, owner of a gift and jewellery shop called Temptation, said: “I don’t think anyone should be held to ransom to have a mobile phone in order to pay for parking. There is a generation of people who don’t know how to use the system.

“It is killing businesses in the area. We know we are in a recession but this is almost the final nail in the coffin and we are really struggling. People are coming in and just leaving or not coming at all.

“People coming to buy a loaf of bread have got to pay more for parking than for their loaf of bread. How can you justify putting parking up to £1 for half an hour?"

Spurred on by applause from around a packed room at last night’s Finchley and Golders Green residents forum, Ms Paterson argued the scratch cards which are due to be implemented by Monday, December 5, are also too expensive.

Each card will cost £2 for an hour’s parking, but a minimum of four cards must be purchased in a single transaction.

Ms Paterson said: “Why can’t we have half an hour free parking and give people a chance to pop in and pick up a prescription or loaf of bread – we really need to get people back shopping in a local community. Please just try it.”

But Barnet’s parking manager John McArdle said: “Were we to reduce the charge or introduce free periods that would upset the council’s special parking account. As an officer I don’t believe it would make a significant amount of people come to the area.”

He added: “I would recommend that together with the council those who have an interest in bringing more people back to the area encourage them to use the system quickly and effectively – it takes a minute to park.”

Sue Tollerfield, who owns a gift shop called The Cherry Tree, said businesses in the High Road, East Finchley, are facing a similar problem.

She said: “It’s like tumbleweed blowing down the street – there’s nothing going on. Something has to be done and it has to be done quickly because this time of year is when we do a large proportion of our business and if we don’t get it we’ll close down.”

Mrs Tollerfield has collected around 800 signatures from traders and shoppers who want the pay-by-coin parking meters reinstalled in East Finchley.

But Councillor Reuben Thompstone, chairing last night’s meeting, said this was a matter of policy which the residents’ forum does not have the power to change.

He said their issues with parking would be raised with the leader of the council, Councillor Richard Cornelius and Councillor Brian Coleman who pushed through the controversial cashless parking despite residents’ widespread concern.