The Colliers Wood Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) scheme has been given the go ahead by Merton’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Planning, Councillor Russell Makin, following extensive consultation with residents and businesses in the area.

The CPZ was proposed for the area because the parking demand, which is generated by St George’s Hospital, the underground station and residents, was greater than the parking space available. This lead to dangerous parking, traffic congestion and competition for space, which some residents found a problem.

There were also concerns that the Central London congestion charges, which come into effect this month, would create a greater demand for parking around the underground station, as it was one of the few without controlled parking.

Informal consultation was carried out in July 2002 and some changes were made to the scheme in response to feedback, including changes to the days of operation and boundaries. Formal consultation was then carried out in November 2002 and council officers used the feedback to write a report. This report went before the Overview and Scrutiny Commission for consideration on 9 January 2003, who made recommendations on the scheme.

The Cabinet Member for Transport and Planning, Councillor Russell Makin, then studied the report and the commission’s recommendations before making the final decision to go ahead with the scheme. Some amendments were made to the boundaries of the scheme it has been recommended to undertake further consultation to the area to the east of the Colliers Wood CPZ.

Councillor Russell Makin, said: “The Colliers Wood CPZ scheme will make it easier for residents to find a place to park near their homes. It will also make the surrounding roads safer for pedestrians and motorists alike.

“As far as possible residents wishes have been taken into account in the decision as to whether a group of roads have been included in the CPZ. However the Council has a legal duty to address parking issues in a manner that will ensure efficient and safe parking in the borough’s roads.”