Council threatens legal action on parking fees

A town council is considering legal action over on-street parking charges because of their impact on local businesses.

Harpenden Town Council said it continued to hold significant concerns about the charges that were introduced in mid-February.

St Albans City and District Council, which implemented the new charges, confirmed it had received a formal legal letter from the town council.

Businesses separately wrote an open letter to St Albans council, saying that the parking charges were having a negative impact.

Niki Hackett, landlady of The Oddfellows Arms in Leyton Green, said: "It is absolutely terrible. I am probably about 60% down on takings; my lunchtime trade is non-existent.

"I have the loveliest garden in town and the lunchtime trade is not there anymore" she said.

"I am very scared for my future."

"I think we were busier during lockdown, if I am being honest."

Her older customers have told her they do not have smartphones so cannot use the parking app.

Anne-Marie Addy, 59, said: "It is devastating the town... the place has gone to rack and ruin. It is so quiet here now."

Drivers can park for free for 30 minutes in bays that previously allowed longer spells of either one or two hours of free parking.

St Albans council said the charge for £1.25 for one hour and £3.75 for two.

It said one aim of the charges was to encourage active travel, such as cycling and walking "where possible, rather than car use, to improve the local environment".

Elaine Bradford, who runs EB Hypnotherapy in Harpenden, wrote the open letter.

She said: "The very first week of implementation saw a noticeable decline in visitors, directly affecting footfall in local shops, cafes, and businesses."

Residents and customers had chosen to stay away rather than navigate the complicated new system or incur the additional cost of fines, she said.

Chris Traill, strategic director for community and place delivery at St Albans council, said: "Before introducing the new charges, we carried out an extensive consultation with residents and various stakeholders including local businesses."

Data from the first month of operation showed that on-street parking "remains a highly popular choice, with each bay being used an average of five times a day during the paying period," she added.

"We have received a pre-action protocol letter from Harpenden Town Council on the new parking restrictions and have responded to it."

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