Colindale South NW9 parking engagement

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This engagement has now closed.

Overview

In Barnet, like many other local authorities, we have a system of parking bays and parking permits that prioritises parking for local residents, businesses and their visitors and customers. These systems are called Controlled Parking Zones.

We have adopted a systematic approach to delivering CPZ’s, incorporating a set of parameters for parking controls which means they should:

  • avoid a piecemeal approach (kicking the issue to the next street)
  • address anticipated displacement proactively
  • address safety concerns such as sightline issues
  • be as simple as possible and harmonised – intuitive.


Why we are consulting

We are aware of parking pressures

Overview

In Barnet, like many other local authorities, we have a system of parking bays and parking permits that prioritises parking for local residents, businesses and their visitors and customers. These systems are called Controlled Parking Zones.

We have adopted a systematic approach to delivering CPZ’s, incorporating a set of parameters for parking controls which means they should:

  • avoid a piecemeal approach (kicking the issue to the next street)
  • address anticipated displacement proactively
  • address safety concerns such as sightline issues
  • be as simple as possible and harmonised – intuitive.


Why we are consulting

We are aware of parking pressures in Colindeep Lane and Varley Parade. We have also received concerns from residents of the neighbouring streets regarding the high levels of non-residential parking. Residents have told us that they find it hard to find parking close to their homes and businesses have indicated their customers are finding it hard to get a parking space when they visit shops.

The roads in this area have no parking controls and the parking issues could mostly be attributed to visitors to shops and displacement from the neighbouring Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs). Uncontrolled parking can impact traffic flow, obstruct sight lines at road junctions and along road bends which increases risk of road accidents.

The proposed Peel Link (a cycling, walking and wheeling link under the Northern Line from Colindeep Lane to Colindale Gardens) will improve north-south connectivity in Colindale with public transport and other amenities like schools and new housing developments. Moreover, Colindale tube station is currently undergoing expansion to accommodate the expected increase in passenger numbers. These developments will also impact the parking situation in Colindeep Lane and the other local streets.

This parking engagement will enable officers to get a clearer understanding of any parking issues that may be happening in these roads. As part of this data gathering exercise, we have also engaged the services of an external agency to carry out parking stress surveys on the roads in the engagement area.

This will help determine whether any changes may be required to improve parking opportunities for residents and businesses as well as accessibility and road safety.

We have provided more information below:

The introduction of parking controls often results in displacement, where drivers park their vehicles in the neighbouring streets with no parking controls. We therefore engage a wider area other than that currently known to be experiencing parking difficulties.


How to give us your views

We want to hear your views regarding the parking and traffic situation on your road. We want to hear from residents, businesses and other properties in the local area.

In particular, we would like to hear your views on:

  • any parking issues you are experiencing
  • whether or not you would like a CPZ introduced in your road
  • what hours and days of the week you would prefer the CPZ to operate if it were to be introduced
  • any further comments / suggestions you may have about parking in the area.

We have written to all properties in the roads affected by the measures explaining our proposals in full and inviting them to take part in this parking engagement. You can view the letter sent out here.

In addition, street notices will be erected in the roads in the engagement area, providing a link directly to the online questionnaire.

If you live, have a business or have an organisation in the engagement area and have not received a letter, please contact us using the contact details below, quoting reference number T53042/CLS. 

The parking engagement will run from 19 November 2024 until 5 January 2025 to determine the extent of the parking pressures being experienced, if any, in your area.


How to have your say:

Please take the time to complete our online questionnaire below.

If you would like to request a paper questionnaire and any plans showing the proposed area that you cannot access online, or require another format, please contact us quoting reference T53042/CLS., by:

  • emailing parking.consultations@barnet.gov.uk
  • telephoning Parking Design Team on 020 8359 3555
  • writing to: Parking Design Team, Highways, London Borough of Barnet, 2 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, London, NW9 4EW.

If you would like someone to help you complete the questionnaire or need more information, please contact us using one of the above methods.


What happens after the engagement period closes:

All the responses will be analysed, and the outcome will help us determine what action needs to be taken to address areas of concern. We will publish the results, our recommendations and how we are acting on the results of the engagement on this web page in July 2025.

This engagement has now closed.

  • We Asked, You Said, We Did

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    We asked

    We asked for your views on the parking situation in the Colindale South area and proposals to introduce parking controls

    The parking engagement was conducted in response to concerns raised by local:

    • residents who reported finding it difficult to find parking close to their homes.
    • businesses who mentioned that their customers were finding it hard to get a parking space when they visit the shops.


    Before engaging the local community, we carried out parking stress surveys and the results revealed more than three-quarters of the roads in Colindale South have high parking stress levels.

    The parking pressures could have been attributed to the ongoing regeneration in the area, as well as the existing waiting and loading restrictions on the A5, and displacement from nearby roads with parking controls.

    You said

    We sent approximately 1,800 letters to residents and businesses inviting them to participate in our parking engagement. We received 220 responses, representing an overall response rate of 12%.

    Overall, when asked if they would be in favour of a CPZ being introduced in their road:

    • 30% supported measures
    • 63% opposed
    • 5% were unsure.


    When feedback of support and opposition was further analysed, a clear split in the engagement area materialised, with those roads east of the Silk Stream (Colin Crescent, Colin Drive, Colin Gardens and Crossway – between Silk Stream and Colin Crescent) opposing measures, and those west (remaining 23 roads) in favour.

    Eastern side:

    • 84% were not in favour
    • 11% were in favour of being included in the CPZ
    • 29% of the respondents indicated they ‘always’ or ‘sometimes’ experience parking issues on their road

    Western side:

    • 62% were in favour of being included in the CPZ
    • 29% were not in favour
    • 83% of the respondents indicated they “always” or “sometimes” experience parking issues on their road


    On both sides, those who stated that they “always” or “sometimes” experience parking problems on their road said that parking issues are due to commuter parking, trade/delivery vehicles, and parking from new developments and local businesses.

    Alongside the feedback received directly to our online engagement, we also received a petition from Varley Parade requesting customer-friendly parking restrictions that would enable customers free parking options to promote businesses in the parade.

    We also received numerous comments on our proposals. The most common concerns raised were:

    • Non-resident parking by commuters
    • Parking generated by the new developments in the area
    • Vehicle parking for long durations and/or abandoned vehicles
    • Inconsiderate or obstructive parking affecting traffic flow at road junctions, on bends and along narrow road sections


    We did

    We have reviewed all responses received during the parking engagement alongside the parking stress surveys.

    To improve the parking situation in the area, we are now developing proposals to introduce a CPZ for the western side that will operate Monday to Friday between 8am to 6.30pm, which will be called Colindale South (CLS).

    Based on feedback and their position within the engagement area, is has been agreed that Colin Crescent, Colin Drive, Colin Gardens and the eastern section of Crossway (between Silk Stream and Colin Crescent) will be excluded from the proposed CPZ.

    The CPZ will be introduced as a trial for a period of up to 18-months, where the first 6-months is the statutory consultation. This enables residents and businesses to experience live parking controls and make comments on any concerns they have about the new parking arrangements.

    The final design of the CPZ will be discussed and agreed with local Ward Members before progressing to implementation.

    An update letter has been be sent to residents in the affected areas to provide confirmation of our proposed way forward for each location. You can read these letters here:

    For further details on our decision, read our Chief Officers Decision.