Hillingdon Council clashes with Hertfordshire residents (From Watford Observer)

Hillingdon Council clashes with Hertfordshire residents

2:49pm Wednesday 20th May 2009 in News By Filip Hnizdo

Fears of raised borders and an end to shared services between London and Hertfordshire have erupted as Hillingdon council prepares to charge non-locals more for parking, shopping and recycling.

The forthcoming introduction of the Hillingdon First card has sparked campaigns, protests and petitions from Three Rivers District Councillors and residents who say they are being forced away from what have always been their local services.

The card, given to all Hillingdon tax payers this summer, will allow continued free access to recycling facilities and a continuation of current parking meter rates. Other residents, regardless of distance from the area, will be charged up to double the parking rate and will not be able to use their local recycling facilities without paying a fee.

No plans for a similar scheme in Three Rivers means Hillingdon residents will be able to continue using services such as the recently expanded Rickmansworth recycling facility free of charge.

Three Rivers Councillor Chris Lloyd has started a petition against the scheme saying: “We believe that the Hillingdon First project to increase car parking charges in unfair to residents of Three Rivers, who rely on the facilities within the borough for work, education, shopping, religious worship and leisure.

“We further believe that such penalties on non-Hillingdon residents will be counter-productive, reducing the numbers of people using local shops and businesses.”

Tony Ellis, Chairman of Northwood Residents' Association added: “They are spending big money on something the residents simply do not want. I can't see what Hillingdon residents are going to get out of it compared to what they have already and everyone else is going to be hurt by it.

“The local councillors have refused to support us as they have been told to tow the party and corporate line and not represent their constituents which I find appalling.”

Shops in Hillingdon are set to be encouraged to provide discounts for carriers of the card, which Mr Ellis said would, on top of the inflated parking fees, drive people away from supporting their local businesses.

Councillor Douglas Mills, Cabinet Member for Improvement Partnerships and Community Safety at Hillingdon Council said: "The Hillingdon First card has been introduced for taxpayers in the borough and is aimed at putting our residents first for the services we provide in Hillingdon.

"We have some of the lowest parking rates in London and we will ensure parking charges for non-residents remain comparable to those in neighbouring boroughs.

"We have already offered Three Rivers Council help and advice if they wish to introduce such a scheme for their residents."

Elizabeth Willetts, Chairman of Eastbury Residents’ Association, said: “It's just another layer of administration that doesn't serve any purpose whatsoever. Where does it end? Will we soon be told we can't use Hillingdon roads because we don't pay tax there?”

Visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk for more information about the card. For more information about the campaign against it visit http://hillingdonfirst.info/ and http://ourcampaign.org.uk/LBHparking