A relaxation of parking measures in Tower Hamlets has been approved by the council, despite a warning that the change would make the borough “less safe.”

A cabinet meeting approved two new parking measures, encouraging car use instead of public transport.

A report by council officers found that only one out of the ten assessed social “groups” will be impacted in a “positive” way by the new regulations.

The report also claimed that the new measures could lead to more cars on the road and will make the “environment less safe and Tower Hamlets a less attractive place.” They would also “make our roads less safe for all road users and pedestrians.”

The first measure will reintroduce four “Parent Zones”, that were previously in place before October 2020.

Prior to October 2020, there were Parent Zones A, B, C and D (see map below for reference). Parents and permit holders in any of the six A zones could park all day in any other A zone for free. The same applied to zones B, C and D. Permit holders could also park for up to 3 hours in any other zone that was not their own.

The council report said that this measure would encourage residents to make “short car journeys (less than 2km)” instead of using “alternative mode[s] of transport”.

The report added: “This could lead to more congestion within the borough… it could become more difficult [to park] due to other residents from their Parent Zone being able to [there] park all day.”

The second parking measure will provide one-hour free parking for spaces within 100 metres of nine markets across Tower Hamlets:

Councillor Peter Golds told Eastlondonlines that this new measure would also make parking more difficult for residents as “people will use residents’ parking spaces for non-residential parking.”

He also expressed concern about the impact on air quality: “We should be working to reduce traffic, not increase it.”

Tower Hamlets already has the 4th highest rate of air pollution-related deaths in London, which constitute 8.1 per cent of all deaths in the borough. 

At the cabinet meeting, Councillor Abu Chowdhury said: “This proposal is aimed at supporting our market traders… they are crying out for more footfall and more business.”

However, the council’s report said any economic benefits from the measures were “deemed to be small” as 81 per cent of shoppers walked to the markets and those that did walk tended to spend more money.

The plans will cost the council a minimum of £150,000 a year, in a borough where only 37% of households own a vehicle.

Mayor Luftur Rahman said: “This was a manifesto commitment. We are looking at the environment and what we will do as a borough after Cop27… But, for small businesses, high street shop owners, stall holders – it’s a lifeline. Helping those businesses is extremely important.”