North Harrow shopper parking improvements

Harrow Council has been successful in obtaining funding from the Greater London Authority (GLA) round one from the Outer London Fund, to introduce new parking bays around North Harrow Underground station.

North Harrow plays a vital role in supporting local communities and in providing space for small independent businesses to trade. However, like all shopping centres North Harrow has suffered from the recession and continued economic uncertainty. In addition the last remaining high street bank closed in December 2010, causing a further reduction in the attractiveness of the area to residents and visitors. There are convenience stores and a few specialist shops, which continue to trade and offer essential goods and services to local customers.

The Council has been working with local businesses in the area to find out more about how we could help.

Both on-street surveys and meetings of the local Traders Association and Partnership have identified the lack of on-street parking around North Harrow tube station as an issue.

The existing car park behind Cambridge Road with 150 spaces available already provides a great opportunity to park, especially with the 1st hour free. However, we have been told by the local businesses that the existing parking facilities are not used and that visitors are looking to park outside their shops, especially for short duration stays.

We are aware of other parking issues on Station Road and the surrounding roads.

These include:

• People who park on some parts of Station Road cause delays to traffic and visibility problems for vehicles coming out of side roads.

• Illegally parked vehicles on footways cause problems for pedestrians and disabled users.

This project will respond to these issues through the installation of new car parking bays in Station Road east side, Cambridge Road, Northumberland Road and Argyle Road.

The proposals will provide parking spaces to passing traffic, visitors and shoppers in the area. It will also assist bus movements by providing "off road" car parking along Station Road, reducing delays and congestion.

A two-stage approach will be adopted in providing additional parking bays in the North Harrow area. In round one, parking bays will be installed on the east side of Station Road, in Northumberland Road, Cambridge Road and Argyle Road.

We will also be looking into providing more parking spaces for disabled users, specifically in the places where we have been told.

An application for funding for additional parking bays will be submitted as part of the round two Outer London Fund bid to the GLA. If successful parking bays will be installed on the west side of Station road (outside the Chemist) and in Pinner Road close to the junction with Canterbury Road.

We are now carrying out this informal consultation to seek your views and any comments you may have.