Ealing Conservatives have launched a fierce attack on Labour-run Ealing Council over controversial plans on how drivers access Stop and Shop parking bays, saying the move will penalise residents and impact struggling high streets in the borough.
Ealing Broadway Councillor Seema Kumar presented a petition signed by 951 residents at yesterday’s (10 June 2025) full council meeting, highlighting public concern with the proposed changes. Under the plan, residents would be required to use the PayByPhone app or call a phone number to access free 30 minute short-stay parking .
Ealing Conservatives are calling on Ealing Council to drop what it calls a “flawed proposal and listen to the people they are supposed to represent, not force them to jump through hoops just to support local shops.”
Councillor Kumar criticised the plans along with the cost to implement them. She said: “Labour is putting up digital barriers that will punish residents and drive footfall away from our already struggling high streets.”
In an exchange during the meeting, Councillor Kumar questioned the Councillor Paul Driscoll, the cabinet member responsible, about the £90,000 earmarked to replace signage borough-wide. During the meeting, Councillor Driscoll was unable to clarify how much additional income the new system was expected to generate.
An Ealing Council spokesperson said: “Ealing Council’s proposed Stop and shop+ is a new more flexible way of parking that has been designed to give residents more choice while supporting local high streets and has accessibility and inclusion developed into the scheme.
“Stop and shop+ has been designed with accessibility and inclusion in mind. Drivers will be able to register their stay via the PayByPhone app, by calling a staffed phone line, or by using one of the many of the in-store PayPoint.
“These proposals are not motivated by revenue generation. The primary focus is to ensure fairer, more efficient use of parking that supports residents and local businesses. While there are costs involved in updating signage and systems, these are proportionate to a scheme of this size, which will be outweighed, over time, by encouraging short shopping trips and greater turnover of spaces.
“Throughout this process the council has consulted with local Business Improvement Districts and the borough’s High Street Task Force, and we remain committed to engaging residents throughout the process to ensure local voices shape the final approach.”
