Charges are to be introduced for parking at the Old Courthouse Recreation Ground -- an expense for parents of small children who drive to the infants' playground next to the Old Courthouse Café

 

Members of Barnet Lawn Bowls Club, whose two greens are next to the playground, will be issued with passes for free parking, as will visiting players.

Barnet Council is introducing charges for parking at three car parks – at the Old Courthouse, Scratchwood Open Space and West Hendon Playing Fields.

An exemption from the charges has been agreed for clubs and organisations which have recognised activities within the parks and open spaces served by the three car parks.

Charges will apply at the Old Courthouse car park – approached along Manor Close – from 8am to 6.30pm, Mondays to Saturdays, and will be payable through the council’s telephone payment system, via a credit/debit card pay and display machine, at Paypoint outlets or by parking vouchers.

Up to 30 minutes is free of charge; up to 1 hour, £1.00; up to 2 hours, £1.50; up to 3 hours, £2.00 (maximum stay 3 hours).

No date has been announced yet for the start of charging as there is a 21-day period for objections, starting 13.1.2022.

Derek Whiter, president of the bowls club, welcomed the council’s offer of free passes for club members and visiting players.

“There has been a proposal several years for the introduction of parking charges, but the previous scheme wasn’t validated in time. Let’s hope it all work out as the council says.”

Mr Whiter said bowls club members were looking forward to the start of the new bowls season in April.

“Our two greens are in a fine condition, thanks to the care of the groundsman Alan Henderson and we like to think our greens here in High Barnet are the best in the borough, as well as nearby in North London and Hertfordshire.”

Parking charges at the Scratchwood Open Space, Barnet Way, will apply 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Up to 1 hour, 50 pence; up to 2 hours, £1.00; up to 3 hours, £2.00; up to 4 hours, £3.00; over 4 hours, £6.00.

At West Hendon Playing Fields the first two hours is free of charge.

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