Row over free parking reduction
Residents and businesses in Raynes Park are being given more chance to comment on controversial proposals which will reduce free parking in the town.
A consultation period due to end today (February 7) has been extended until February 14 to give more people chance to comment.
Merton Council plans to have 20 minutes of free parking in the town centre, but more pay and display bays. There are now free spaces giving one hour's parking from 10am-4pm, but these will be changed to paid spaces with a maxiumum stay of two hours.
Busineses are worried the changes will affect their trade, but the council says feedback has shown there is confusion about the existing parking restrictions. It says the proposals will introduce a more uniform approach.
Merton's cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration, Councillor Andrew Judge said: "We want to get this right, so we won't be taking any decisions immediately, but will hold continuing talks with all the individual businesses as well as residents’ associations about what is right for them and all users of the town centre.
"We do think that an initial 20 minutes free parking in pay and display bays is a good idea as it can lead to a high turnover for customers of shops and cafes. Nonetheless, we are going to listen."
You can pass on your views to the council, by emailing trafficandhighways@merton.gov.uk
February 7, 2014