South Norwood’s shoppers, shopkeepers and businesses have launched a petition asking for fairer treatment for their part of the borough.

Hundreds of furious people have signed the petition complaining at what they claim was Croydon Council extorting money by aggressive parking enforcement While shopping districts in the south of the borough, such as Coulsdon, are enjoying free parking, South Norwood patrons and shop owners are boosting the council’s coffers through the council’s parking enforcement.

Shopper Wayne Lawlor, who bought a ticket at the “wrong” machine, said: “I stopped in South Norwood for a cup of coffee and a sandwich but because I bought a ticket at the wrong machine I am now being charged £100.

The same cup of coffee in Coulsdon would have cost £1.95.”

Labour’s councillor Jane Avis has demanded the council treats all parts of the borough equally and fairly and asked that they immediately stopped hampering attempts at regeneration through their vindictive and ill thought-out parking policy.

Glen Ferguson of Red Properties, South Norwood High Street, said: “The council talks of regeneration but in truth it is sucking the life blood out of our businesses by relentlessly pursuing our customers with, what local people believe to be, questionable parking enforcement. If the council really cares about the regeneration of South Norwood let them prove it by giving us periods of free parking like those enjoyed by Coulsdon.”

croydonguardian.co.uk