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Published: 8th April, 2011
by ANDREW JOHNSON

OPPOSITION groups are demanding the Town Hall scrap its controversial new scheme which allows wealthier residents to park where they like – sparking a furious war of words.

The Green Party has lodged a formal complaint to Islington Council over “Roamer”, arguing that it breaches the local authority’s own policies on reducing traffic and pollution; and accusing Labour of misleading the public over its introduction.

The Roamer allows some residents with parking permits to leave their car anywhere in the borough as well as providing unlimited visitors’ permits. It has also come under fire for leaving out those who live on council estates.

The Greens’ complaint is the first stage in taking the Town Hall to the official watchdog over its introduction earlier this year. 

The party also argue there was no proper consultation over the plan and that the ­council should start again from scratch.

The Lib Dems argue that the scheme is not only against the council’s own policy, but also breaches  the  new  “fairness” agenda at the Labour-controlled Town Hall.

Labour’s environment chief Councillor Paul Smith, who introduced the Roamer, was described by the Greens as “arrogant and dismissive” over the way he brushed aside opposition to the scheme at the beginning of the year. In turn, he has accused the Greens of “nit-picking over red tape”. 

Lib Dem councillor Greg Foxsmith has now joined the row, siding with the Greens and describing Cllr Smith as “rude and offhand”.

In its complaint the Green Party alleges:

• that councillors were misled when they agreed the reform in October last year. The report on which they based their decision stated the new policy had been developed in full consultation with residents following a parking review in March 2010. However, this review made no mention of the Roamer scheme;
• that the Town Hall did not consult properly before introducing the Roamer. The Greens argue that only existing permit holders were canvassed – and they are bound to like the idea.
• that the scheme goes against the Town Hall’s policy of discouraging unessential car journeys which could be made by public transport or cycling; and of making roads safer by reducing congestion and cutting pollution; and
• that the scheme discriminates against council house residents.

The party is now calling for the Roamer to be completely withdrawn within a month and for a full borough-wide consultation. Emma Dixon, the former Green Party parliamentary candidate, said: “Cllr Smith was patronising and dismissive of people’s concerns when this was introduced. The many people who do not drive were not asked for their opinion. They are the people who will suffer from greater congestion and air pollution.”

But Cllr Smith dismissed the complaint. “It is an overwhelmingly popular policy,” he said. “Since its introduction we have had nothing but praise from the public as it allows people to park in any parking zone for free. 

“The Greens are showing they are out of touch by nitpicking about red tape while ignoring the reasons we have a council, which is to make our community a better place.”

Cllr Foxsmith said the scheme was “arrogantly railroaded” through by Labour. “They say there was overwhelming support for the Roamer,” he added. “I think that is misleading. There were 25 questions from the public about it at the meeting in February, the most ever for a full council meeting. Cllr Smith was offhand and rude about them. 

“I have an email list of more than 100 people who are against the scheme. There was no proper consultation. 

“The Greens are right – it goes against the council’s own policies. It’s also socially exclusive. It’s all very well for the people in posh houses to be able to park in Upper Street and enjoy their cappuccinos, but what about the residents of council estates? Why can’t they park anywhere?”