Cllr Richard Wilson: 'Negative' reaction to further parking restrictions.

The idea of increasing parking restrictions during the Olympic Games has been floated, to protect residents’ parking spaces from spectators commuting to Tube stations.

Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) in Finsbury Park and Stroud Green currently operate a two-hour restriction in the middle of the day, but this might not deter those attending afternoon events in Stratford, nor the 10-day Jamaican Olympic Village in Finsbury Park itself.

Cllr Nilgun Canver, cabinet member for the environment, said there are no current plans in place to increase parking controls during the Olympics, but the council has asked councillors for their opinion on any mitigating measures that might be needed.

Cllr Richard Wilson, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, asked some residents in his Stroud Green ward about extending the CPZ.

He said: “So far we’ve had a pretty negative reaction, I think people are pretty sceptical about how much worse the traffic will be.”

He raised concern about bringing in day-long restrictions until 8.30pm around Finsbury Park CPZ during the Games, adding: “People are going to lose a big chunk of Finsbury Park for half the summer. How the disruption is managed around this event will be important.”

Anyone with concerns or suggestions should contact their local councillor.