EXCLUSIVE:’I know the Council is facing endless struggles, but why are they penalising us?’ Education worker slams parking increases.

An outreach worker who supports children who have been excluded from mainstream schooling, has hit out at Havering Council for their parking charge increases. Kirsty, from Collier Row, has faced over £20 a week in parking charges for just doing her job.

The education worker travels from library to library across Havering, teaching not only excluded pupils but also children with special educational needs and carries with her many bags containing resources.

She told the Havering Daily: “I stopped parking outside the library in Harold Hill as parking charges were just ridiculous. I now park down by Lidl, which means I have to carry heavy bags up the hill everyday as my job involves me having many different resources, as well as my lap top. It’s not just me in this situation, it is all my colleagues who do the same work as me everyday. As we are self employed, it means we cannot claim this parking money and spending over £20 a week is just too much.

“The parking wardens across Havering can be really difficult. I suffer with anxiety, so I do not want the extra hassle of thinking I am going to get a parking fine as well. I don’t agree with the new parking system that is cashless, the older generation who should not be paying for their parking, do not always use smart phones.”

Now, due to these new parking charge increase, Kirsty has stopped shopping locally and uses Lakeside like many other Havering residents.

“I don’t shop in Collier Row. The car park is awful and it is a nightmare to park there. I don’t feel safe with my children in Romford, the area has really gone down the hill. I have worked across different parts of London, but in Romford I always feel on edge.

“I use Lakeside now for my shopping as it is so much easier to park and really is hassle free without looking over your shoulder for wardens all the time.”

The parking increases come as Havering Council struggle with financial shortfalls due to cuts from government funding.

“I know the Council are struggling, I do understand that. But why are they penalising us? If they keep putting prices up, people are just going to stop using the shops locally for good,” she finished.

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