Labour Councillors in Cambridge responded immediately to news that Cambridgeshire County Council’s Highways and Community Infrastructure Committee deferred plans for parking consultations in 20 out of 26 proposed consultation areas across Cambridge, to await a strategy and impacts assessment by the County Council and with dates yet to be set for the promised consultations.

Councillor Lewis Herbert, Leader of Cambridge City Council and Chair of the City Deal Board said “Cambridge Labour Councillors are deeply disappointed that today’s Committee potentially delayed for months decisions on city parking consultations planned this summer, other than consultations in six areas.

Many residents across Cambridge cannot park in their own streets because they are dominated by commuters during the daytime. They have been asking for their say on parking for over a year, and detailed joint development work has been underway throughout that time by City and County Councillors and county officers.

Only last week, the City Deal Board agreed funding up to £1,000,000 for consultations on the 26 Residents Parking Zone areas and to fund all the initial set-up ‘signing and lining’ costs if schemes are supported by at least 50% of residents in an area.  We also backed a parallel parking strategy review as it was not necessary to hold up these vital consultations while that happened.

We will be asking the County Council to review this decision, so city residents can have their rightful say ‘yes or no’ on parking schemes for all twenty six areas across the city.  All we are saying is give them a choice, and soon.”