A lawyer from East Finchley has lost a legal bid to lower the cost of Barnet Council's parking permits.

David Attfield challenged the council after it increased the price of permits by 150 per cent, arguing it would use the cash for road repairs across Barnet instead of for Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs).

After the council approved the increases last March, people living in CPZs have seen the price of parking permits soar from £42 a year to £100 and visitor’s vouchers from £1 to £4.

But Robin Purchas QC, Deputy High Court Judge dismissed Mr Attfield’s argument today.

Speaking in court Judge Purchas said: "There is no evidence put before me that the authority had any objectives in mind other than the money should be put towards traffic management purposes under Section 122 of the Road Traffic Act."

Councillor Brian Coleman, cabinet member for environment, said: "This is excellent news.

“The council's actions have been completely justified by the judge who said there was no evidence that our objectives were other than for traffic management purposes. I hope this matter can now be put to bed."

Speaking to the Times Series, Mr Attfield said: “We are hugely disappointed. The question is whether the council can set residents’ parking charges to raise money for things that have nothing to do with parking - for example setting a parking charge in Finchley to repair a bridge in Mill Hill or to pay for bus passes in Golders Green.

“The judge felt Barnet can raise parking charges to pay for a wide range of things and we are convinced this is legally and morally wrong.

“Only 10 per cent of the borough is in a CPZ and they are being held to ransom to pay for services to the borough.”

Mr Attfield and his barrister Martin Westgate QC have seven days to decide whether they want to make an appeal.