Southwark Council:

Please include your address so that southwark Council knows that people signing live or work in Nunhead.

The proposal to implement a controlled parking zone in Nunhead will negatively impact on residents, visitors and local businesses.  It imposes a charge for something which is currently free and this will impact disproportionately on people already struggling due to cost of living pressures. Permit costs · £27.90 - 1 month · £64.60 - 3 months · £122.40 - 6 months · £225 - 12 months. This is on top of increases to Council Tax and Brown bin charges amongst others.  And the purchase of a permit does not of itself guarantee a parking space.

The CPZ aims to resolve issues which do not exist at present and appear to be 'cut and paste' reasons not specifically relevant to Nunhead namely:

• prevent commuter traffic and parking and encourage active travel. In actual fact there is little or no commuter traffic in the area (if there are studies that contradict this then they haven't been published) and there is never a problem in finding a parking space day or night.  A few people park to then use Nunhead station and this would stop however charging local residents £225 pa to prevent commuter parking seems perverse and disproportionate to the problem (if there actually is a problem). Active travel should of course be encouraged but again the CPZ proposal does not appear to have any relevance to active travel.  Congestion charge and ULEZ already means that people use vehicles sparingly and considerately so again the proposed CPZ will not impact on this.  A greater impact would have been withdrawing the number 12 and 78 bus routes thereby restricting travel options.  Bicycle use and walking to use local amenities and also go further afield is popular and increasing.  A CPZ will have no impact on this. 
• Prioritise space for local residents, businesses and their visitors.  See above, this is using a hammer to crack a nut. There is never a problem in finding a parking space.  In fact it will negatively impact on local businesses.  At the moment one can stop and go into the shops without paying, how many people will be deterred from stopping and shopping if a CPZ is introduced?  
• Improve access for emergency services and refuse vehicles - again, this is not a problem in the area.  As mentioned above, if there is evidence to the contrary then publish it. 
• Permit-free conditions for future developments - why should local residents pay for this?

This proposal should be vigorously opposed as the reasons for suggesting it do not exist.  Cynically it could be seen as a money generating activity.  It's imposition will only generate bad feeling and negativity towards Southwark Council reinforcing the feeling that consultation is in name only and means nothing.  

Please sign and share this petition.  Write to your local councillors and MP and request that the online consultation be withdrawn and replaced with one that a) clearly states it is informal and not statutory b) that is worded and structured to allow for 'no change' c) asks for other suggestions eg speed cameras in Evelina Road.  Attend the drop in session at St Mary Magdalene Church, SE15 2EA Thursday 11th May 5-8pm. Also via www.southwark.gov.uk/nunheadcpz2023