Hackney Council’s proposed introduction of a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) has split the Victoria Park village community. Local shop owner Luic Lecoutour, 28, called the proposals “quite awful,” adding, “it would destroy us… this road, it’s mainly shops, it’s ridiculous.”
The proposed restrictions include the complete removal of free parking from the area and the introduction of pay & display and permit bays for businesses and residents on the roads north of Victoria Park. The move, welcomed by local residents, has been brought in to tackle the increasing numbers of commuters leaving their vehicles in Victoria Park village’s free parking, throughout the day.
Local Councillor Geoff Taylor spoke of the “Olympic controls bliss” that was brought about by strict parking regulations imposed during the Olympics and Paralympics. But many of the shop owners are still recovering from these restrictions.
Joanna de Guia, owner of Victoria Park Books, said: “It was terrible… it was nearly the end of us, trade was down between 10 and 40 per cent during the Olympics.” The consultation period for the new parking restrictions is open until 9 November 2012.
