A parking campaigner has praised Richmond Council after the changes he demanded helped make Richmond the fairest borough for fines.

Nigel Wise, 62, campaigned for parking enforcement changes in Powder Mill Lane after he noticed drivers were receiving hefty fines and traders were losing business because customers could not park on the street.

Previously, the road had all day unlimited parking on one side, which would clog up with vehicles, while the other side was a no parking zone.

Mr Wise, a carer who used to live in Twickenham, said cars parked on the illegal side of the road would often incur fines as the council dispatched camera cars to police the area.

The parking campaigner, who has successfully challenged a number of parking grievances, praised Richmond Council leader Lord True for listening to his concerns at a time when councils are under fire for their parking policies.

He said: “The shop keepers are happy now because cars are allowed to park on both sides of the road.

“A couple of shops closed because of it, so the Lib Dem council at the time were so revenue driven but were actually losing out on business rates from shops as a result of it.

“I think this demonstrates that Lord True is committed to enforcing a fair parking regime and Richmond is working with shop keepers.”

The move comes as communities minister Eric Pickles planned to give shoppers 15 minutes free parking on double yellow lines so traffic wardens could not issue fines on motorists making short trips.

Richmond already allows 30 minutes’ free parking with a Richmond Card.

 

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