A TRADER is urging Hertsmere Council to put recommendations forward to the county council to introduce more car parking spaces in Darkes Lane, Potters Bar. Chris Piercey, who owns Elaine's Stationers, believes extra parking spaces in the lane would tempt

A TRADER is urging Hertsmere Council to put recommendations forward to the county council to introduce more car parking spaces in Darkes Lane, Potters Bar.

Chris Piercey, who owns Elaine's Stationers, believes extra parking spaces in the lane would tempt shoppers into visiting the town more frequently.

He told the Potters Bar Edition: "Parking in town centres like Potters Bar is key to the success or otherwise of a high street.

"If people cannot park easily and cheaply they are not going to come in."

Mr Piercey also believes Hertfordshire County Council needs to reintroduce chevron parking on the lane to be able to create the spaces.

He added: "Supermarkets and other town retail parks offer plenty of free parking so shoppers can load up their cars; we need to offer the same.

"So until this problem is addressed we will continue to see high streets being depleted."

Parkfield ward councillor John Donne said he would recommend the proposal for more spaces to the county council and said: "It's a county council decision and we will put recommendations to them [in July].

"If the money is there then anything is possible."

Hertsmere deputy mayor councillor Eddie Roach agreed and said: "It would be ideal to introduce more parking spaces if we could but where would we put them?

"I'm not against it and if we could do it I would support it."

A Hertfordshire County Council spokeswoman added: "We would consider the proposal if we receive a recommendation from the district council."

Currently there are 14 free parking bays on either side of Darkes Lane.