‘Roamer’ parking will damage our quality of life

Published: 11 February, 2011

• MUCH has been written about the proposed changes to parking in Islington – often from the viewpoint of holders of parking permits. 

Indeed, Islington Council saw fit to consult directly only with such holders. 

I have no car to park and, like others without permits, I received no notice of the proposals. 

As a resident, pedestrian and cyclist I, like many other residents, will be adversely affected by the increase in car journeys which will result from the “roamer” scheme. 

I find no upside in the fact that my visitors who used to come by public transport will be able to use their cars and park (if they can find a space in Theberton Street which, being close to the Angel, seems unlikely after the changes) with the unlimited number of parking vouchers we can obtain. 

I have lived in Islington for nearly 25 years and am amazed that a borough with a reputation for being progressive can 

impose changes which can only have a regressive effect on air quality, noise pollution, road safety and the general quality of life. 

Still, the council is at least more trusting than others in making visitor parking vouchers available on an unrestricted basis. I fear their trust may be misplaced. 

JONATHAN POIRRETTE
Theberton Street, N1

q The news that “roamer” parking will not apply to those residents with cars who happen to live on estates, rather than in private properties, is deeply concerning.

Does this mean that after a few short months Islington’s Labour council has turned its back on the fairness agenda? 

Or is it that the scheme, as we suspect, was in fact hatched out on the back of an envelope and only now are all the problems becoming evident. 

Either way, with tough decisions ahead it doesn’t bode well that the council is getting this all so very wrong.

The claim that this scheme will help the vulnerable is sounding very hollow. It is in fact the more wealthy car owners who will benefit. 

As leader of the council Catherine West said herself that it will allow them out for a cappuccino in Upper Street. How lovely. 

It is clear that Labour’s claims to be on the side of fairness have been dealt a blow. 

Any future claims to this effect, especially when it comes to cuts, will have to be very closely scrutinised.

CAROLINE ALLEN 
Islington Green Party

• COUNCIL leader Catherine West  argues that the parking changes are designed to be as carbon neutral as possible, while still allowing greater mobility for people in need. 

However, the council had set a much more ambitious carbon target – 40 per cent reduction by 2020 – borough wide.

But all the parking changes will lead to an increase in car journeys and hence carbon emissions.

Although financial incentives  to influence behaviour are good, they are not always fair. 

For instance, residents who own a £40,000 car are unlikely to blink, but those who own a rarely used, old or classic vehicle are upset.

To fit in with the carbon targets, only the low-emission vehicles should be allowed to roam. 

If that means we all have to trade down to smaller vehicles, so be it.

D FULLER
Road, N7