In Boston Gardens we voted against the CPZs and are still happy that we did so. We used to have people from Boston Manor Road parking their cars and camper-vans in our street overnight, so we could not park when returning after an evening out, and we still have cars and camper-vans belonging to residents in Boston Manor Road parking here overnight now. Our problem has never been particularly related to commuters, as enough people in the street drive their cars to work during the day and the commuters have left by the time they return at night. A happy exchange of places. Lots of residents also paid the council for dropped kerbs and driveways. Due to the layout of the parking bays, there are fewer spaces available in Boston Manor Road for residents to park there overnight and the CPZs have just moved the commuter problem on to another area. Sorry, but I will not be buying anyone who voted for CPZs a drink. Not only have we suffered because of the CPZs elsewhere but the council, in their wisdom, took away both north and south arms of Boston Gardens (remembering that we voted against the CPZs) to include them in the zoning. Both areas now lie vacant for most of the day as the 'pay and display' bays are extortionately expenses for park users on the south side, and no residents (in Boston Manor Road?) seem willing to pay for residents' parking permits to park in the north side. In my opinion, CPZs are nothing but a way to push problems elsewhere and provide enormous revenues for the Council. If people think that empty parking spaces are an answer to anything and that we are all going to sell off our cars overnight to opt for public transport, they are being very naive indeed. I do use public transport a lot but when I return at night around 11.30 from visiting friends, relatives, or playing bridge, I would think twice about using the buses if I were on my own.
Jan Jones ● 6007d