Fury Over Grove Park CPZ 'Trojan Horse'


Consultation on parking in selected roads looks likely

Councillor Ed Mayne, who is responsible for parking matters in the borough of Hounslow, has announced his intention to make a decision on the issue of parking in Chiswick House Grounds and a consultation about a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) for nearby residential streets.



Cllr. Ed Mayne

This has resulted in a furious reaction from some residents of Grove Park and local Councillors who believe Councillor Mayne has selected only the streets most likely to vote in favour of a CPZ, namely Park Road and Staveley Road. These are described by opponents as a 'trojan horse' because once parking is controlled in some streets that will displace cars into adjacent roads leading to a need for controls there and ultimately resulting in controlled parking over the whole of Grove Park.

Councillor Mayne looks set to give the go ahead for parking charges in the car park at Chiswick House just off the A4. These will apply between 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, Mondays to Sunday (including Bank Holidays) from 12th September 2012. It will cost £1 for up to two hours, £4 for up to four hours and £15 above six hours. Six season tickets are being made available for commuters at £1,500 p.a. and fifty season tickets for park users at £75 for six months. It is estimate that the car park will bring in revenues of £10,000. The principle of introducing charges at the car park is agreed by both the Chiswick Councillors and Councillor Mayne.

On the issue of the CPZ consultation, the Chiswick Councillors voted against undertaking it unanimously at the July meeting. Councillor Robert Oulds said it was unprecedented that a CPZ would be decided at cabinet level instead of by local councillors. While he had taken legal advice which showed that cabinet had the legal power to do so, in practice such decisions were habitually taken by the Area Committee.

It is widely believed that Councillor Mayne will use his power as a Cabinet Member of Hounslow Council to make a delegated decision in favour of a consultation on 13th August.

August 11, 2012