KEEP parking free in Potters Bar.

That’s the message from town shopkeepers who have launched a campaign to prevent charging on both High Street and Darkes Lane after it was announced free parking would be slashed from an hour to just 30 minutes in a cash-saving shake-up.

Residents are being urged to sign the petition, kept in many Potters Bar shops, as well as to write or email their local councillor as to why they think the parking should remain free, also mentioning how and where they shop.

The new measures will see on-street parking cost 20p for up to an hour after the first 30 minutes and where A second hour of on-street parking is permitted, it will be �1.

The scheme was approved last month by Hertsmere Borough Council, which blamed the hikes on the need to make �2m savings this financial year.

However, there is still around three weeks to object to them.

And Joy Prince, owner of Lee Joy school uniform shop on Darkes Lane, said it was vital as many residents as possible got on board to help save the shopping parades.

Joy, who held an emergency meeting at her shop with other business owners and councillors on Monday night, told the Potters Bar Edition: “I can speak on behalf of the shopkeepers in that we feel the free parking has really helped us during the last few years and that by implementing this new idea it would be giving unfair competition against us in favour of the supermarkets.

“As you know parking charges close off the high street and we would like the residents of Potters Bar to join us by supporting our campaign.”

Chris Piercey, who runs Elaines Stationers, added: “It’s a very important decision the council are making, and if they go ahead with this then how can we be expected to compete on a level playing field with the supermarkets that have free car parks?

“If people value the shops we’ve still got left then come in and sign the petition or write to your local councillor.”

The proposed rules are the first to be implemented in Hertsmere for several years and would also include changes to council-run car parks, residents having to pay �15-per-year for permits and annual visitor parking permits going up from �20 to �30.

If given the final seal of approval, the system will be implemented throughout the year.