Updated Thursday 30th June 2005
Parking Meters Deferred

The installation of parking meters in Hertford has been deferred following a meeting of East Herts District Council.

At Wednesday's full council, councillors agreed to postpone the introduction of on-street charges in Hertford after seeing improvements in the parking situation since attendants started work in the district in January. Traders have noted that delivery vehicles are no longer having problems, disabled drivers are finding spaces more easily and bus routes are not blocked.

The decision will be look at again within two years.

However councillors warned that the money which the on-street pay and display machines would have provided - £60,500 for this year will have to be recouped elsewhere and not from council tax payers. This could mean that car park charges might well have to rise higher than might otherwise have been expected in order to make up for the lost income.

Have your say on parking in Hertford - click here.

Bob Parker, executive member with special responsibility for parking, said: "We've always said we would listen to what people were saying and would review the situation and our decision last night confirms that.

"We've been pleased to see the improvements parking attendants have made to the flow of traffic around Hertford. We are also aware that there is a national downturn on the high street everywhere and traders have expressed concern that pay-and-display machines could deter shoppers, even though evidence from towns around the country has shown the contrary.

"That's why we recommended their deferral elsewhere in the district at executive and that's why I was pleased to propose the deferral in Hertford."