High Court Judge hears our claim

A number of supporters spent a tense  day in the High Court on 2 July as our legal challenge to Barnet's absurd CPZ parking charges was finally presented.

The hearing was before Mrs Justice Lang who appeared fully engaged with the case. In summary, our argument was:

• The CPZ increases were motivated purely by Barnet's desire to generate more income which it could spend on transport projects, primarily paying for concessionary fares.
• This is shown in numerous council documents.  Indeed, Barnet do not deny that this is what they were doing.
• We say that this is unlawful and that the legislation that allows councils to charge for parking was never intended to be used by councils simply to maximise profits.
• Our interpretation, we say, is supported by two earlier legal cases: In both, the court held that councils needed to have a genuine reason for imposing charges, such as the need to control demand for parking.
• But Barnet say that a need to raise money in hard times is in itself a genuine, lawful reason.  

The Ham & High newspaper have also published a report about the hearing.
http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/barnet_cpz_action_group_bring_judicial_review_of_barnet_council_parking_policy_led_by_brian_coleman_1_2262604

Mrs Justice Lang is expected to deliver her judgment in the next couple of weeks.