Parking in the Croydon street is enforced from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week, a schedule that residents describe as “unfair”
A garage says it is losing more than £500 a month because it is based in Croydon’s “strictest” parking zone. Local residents and businesses are urging the council to review the restrictions, which they describe as “unfair” and “unrealistic”.
The controlled parking zone (CPZ), known as N2, covers Canterbury Road in Thornton Heath, between London Road to the north and the Lombard roundabout to the south. Parking is enforced from 8am to 8pm every day, with permits and pay-by-phone options available.
Many believe these measures are too restrictive, leaving residents and businesses to “worry about timings and traffic wardens” all day.
Ken Thomas, who runs Crypton Autos on Canterbury Road, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) how the CPZ is harming his business. “It can be five minutes to 8pm, and we will still get a ticket. It’s disgusting,” he said.
He estimates that parking fines accrued by his customers cost his business more than £500 a month. He added: “I had a guy come in who wanted me to change a light bulb by the road, and by the time we took the car apart, they came around and gave him a ticket. We just need something more realistic.”
Residents living in the zone say the long hours make it difficult for family and friends to visit without risking fines. One of those residents is 74-year-old Leonora Dixon, of Lancing Road, who does not drive and relies on visits from her daughters. She told the LDRS: “They don’t spend much time here when they do come now. It is like a doctor’s visit at times.”
Lorna Davis, who has lived locally for 39 years, shared a similar experience. She said: “8pm is too late for my mum to come over and see me. People have to park 10–20 minutes away if they want to get a space.”
Much of their frustration stems from the belief that restrictions in N2 are harsher than in neighbouring areas. Charlie Ojariafe, who has lived in the area since 2017, said: “The system is too much. Down the road, they at least get Saturday and Sunday free.”
Doreen Dias, who has been petitioning Croydon Council since 2022, also criticised the system. “We only get one day free because the traffic wardens don’t work on Christmas Day,” she said. “Even on Mother’s Day, parents come, and they are constantly watching the time. That is not relaxing.”
The LDRS understands the restrictions were narrowly approved in a 2017 vote after residents grew frustrated with Croydon University Hospital visitors and others parking on their streets. While most residents we spoke to accept that some level of restriction should remain, they feel 9am to 5pm would be far more suitable.
Croydon has not committed to another consultation despite Doreen asking for it for three years, with officers suggesting that gathering support for a petition would be the best option for her.
However, in an email seen by the LDRS, officers told Doreen: “Due to the number of petitions that have been received, mainly for new parking controls, and the finite resources within the council, we would not be able to estimate when any consultation can take place.”
Thornton Heath councillor Stuart King, who has worked with Doreen on the issue, said parking restrictions are raised “time and time again” by residents and remain a problem that heavily affects the north of the borough. He believes the complaints around the N2 demonstrate a wider concern about the council’s approach to street parking.
He told the LDRS: “What we are frustrated about is that we have been going back and forth with officers saying can you get on with this consultation, but they just seem to be wading through treacle.”
Cllr King, who is also the leader of the council’s Labour opposition, says the problem also extends to areas petitioning the council to set up a new CPZ.
He said: “There are residents in Gonville Road, Mitcham Road, and other parts of Thornton Heath who are petitioning the council to consult on parking controls, but we are three years down the line, and it feels like you are banging your head against a brick wall.
“If the council finally get round to doing consultations on the new parking controls, we think that as part of that they should consult residents under the current CPZ to see whether they are working or not. That would give Doreen and others a chance to have their voice heard.”
Since Croydon started phasing out the expensive 3G parking meters last year in favour of parking apps, Cllr King believes the cost of introducing CPZs is now much lower and more appealing to a council that is struggling financially. “They solve the parking issue for residents and it doesn’t cost the council any money,” he added.
“However, the council has literally not done anything in three years. It’s time to put the people first and for the council to act.”
Croydon Council was approached for comment, but did not respond in time for publication.
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