LABOUR councillors are urging the Mayor of Barnet to call an extra-ordinary council meeting to discuss a Christmas and New Year parking amnesty to help struggling traders.

Shopkeepers across the borough have seen a downturn in trade since Barnet Council increased parking charges and replaced pay-and-display machines with the pay-by-phone system.

Councillor Kath McGuirk, Labour’s environment spokeswoman, said: “Traders are saying they’re 50 per cent down. Clearly there is an economic downturn but parking charges on top of that are making it really really hard.”

Labour councillors’ motion to the Mayor asks for an immediate parking amnesty in town centres, meaning shoppers could park for free after 3pm on week days and for free all day on weekends until January 16. It also requests that Cabinet review its increases in parking charges.

A Cabinet Resources report, which will go before Cabinet tonight, admits plans are underway to increase some parking charges.

The report says: “Most permit prices are being increased by five per cent to reflect inflation but price of those purchased online is being held to encourage residents to take up this option.”