A dispute over new parking restrictions on Pitshanger Lane has intensified, with more than 2,500 people signing a petition urging Ealing Council to reconsider the scheme, as campaigners say the consultation was flawed while the Labour-run council maintains the changes are intended to improve parking turnover and access to the high street.
The Pitshanger Community Association (PCA) said 2,537 people have signed its petition opposing changes to “stop and shop” parking along the high street. The group had hoped to present the petition at a council meeting but said there was no suitable opportunity before the upcoming local elections on 7 May 2026.
The parking changes, introduced late last year as part of the borough-wide Stop & Shop+ scheme, require drivers to register for up to 30 minutes of free parking before paying for longer stays. Campaigners say the measures have made it harder for customers to make short visits, with concerns raised about the impact on local businesses and asking the council to reverse its decision.
In its latest update, the PCA said it believed the consultation process was “flawed” and that the results had been ignored. It added that in other parking consultations, where a strong majority objected, the council had amended or withdrawn proposals.
Concerns from traders have been central to the opposition, with a number of Pitshanger Lane businesses warning the changes are already affecting footfall.
Paul Dzido, owner of Hook & Cleaver, said running a high street business was already under pressure before the changes were introduced: “Trying to run a family business on a high street in recent years has been extremely tough… we’ve seen a huge increase in overheads… the list goes on.”
He added: “Instead of supporting the backbone of the British economy… Ealing Council seem determined to add even more nails into the coffin by introducing the unnecessary hassle of parking restrictions.”
Natalie Busby, of Busby’s, said the time limits were restricting customers’ visits: “Due to the two-hour parking limit, our economic activity is being significantly restricted… some clients are discouraged from visiting, leading to a direct negative effect on our business.”
A spokesperson for Tranquillity said: “We have seen our bookings fall by 8.6% in the first four weeks of the parking control… If this continues I will be looking to reducing staff.”
Gary, of Charlie’s Fruit Bowl, said footfall had dropped, particularly among customers travelling from outside the area: “We’ve noticed a decline in footfall… our Christmas tree sales… were down by 15% on previous years.”
Nico, of Pitshanger Bakery, said regular customers were already changing their behaviour: “Many of them have stopped coming… customers complain about the new parking scheme… saying it turns the whole shopping trip into a stressful half hour.”
Belinda Harrison, of Harrison’s Delicatessen, said confusion and frustration among customers were having a direct impact: “Many are confused as to how it works, angry that they are paying 20p for 30 minutes ‘free parking’… My footfall has definitely reduced… showing around a 10% decrease in customers per day.”
Dean Horridge, of Pitshanger Health & Fitness, said the changes were affecting older residents: “We have many elderly members… these restrictions are stopping them from attending… we have seen many cancel their memberships.”
Dean and Gavin, owners of Pooches of Pitshanger, added: “We started a new business… and were not aware these new restrictions were coming into effect… [this] has subsequently damaged our ability to gain local customers.”
The issue has been a source of concern for residents and businesses since the changes were introduced, despite consultation findings showing significant opposition. A council report found that 82% of respondents opposed the proposals, with 73% warning of negative effects on local businesses.
Councillor Gary Malcolm, leader of the Ealing Liberal Democrats, told EALING.NEWS: “The Liberal Democrats are the only party with a costed manifesto commitment to reverse the ‘Stop and Shop Plus’ stealth parking charges, which have been bad for Pitshanger and other high streets in the borough.
“We also added it within our official alternative budget earlier this year. The more Liberal Democrat councillors after election will mean that we have more pressure on the council to get them to drop the ‘Stop and Shop Plus’ changes.”
In a statement to EALING.NEWS, an Ealing Council spokesperson said: “We recognise how important Pitshanger Lane is to the local community and to the independent businesses that help make the area unique. Our aim is always to support thriving local high streets while ensuring parking arrangements are fair, consistent and accessible for everyone.
“The recent changes to short stay parking form part of the borough wide stop and shop+ scheme, which provides 30 minutes of free parking, with payment only required if people choose to stay longer. The intention is to ensure regular turnover of spaces so genuine shoppers can find somewhere to park, while preventing long stay parking that can reduce availability for others.
“We carefully considered the consultation responses alongside wider borough objectives and evidence from other locations where the scheme has been introduced. While we acknowledge there were objections, consultation is one part of the decision making process and does not operate as a referendum. Decisions must balance the needs of businesses, residents, and visitors, as well as deliver consistency across the borough.
“Since mandatory registration was introduced, six months of comparable data shows a significant increase in short stay use and enforceability. Registered parking sessions rose from around 33,000 to over 214,000 compared with the same period before implementation, indicating far greater turnover of bays, and on Pitshanger Lane 10,300 parking sessions have taken place from October 2025 to April 2026. This reflects improved compliance and legitimate use beyond the free 30 minute period, which previously could not be measured reliably.
“At busier locations, including Pitshanger Lane, the changes have led to clearer use of bays for short visits, improved ability to tackle misuse, and reduced long stay occupation that can block access for shoppers.
“Our priority remains keeping Pitshanger Lane accessible, safe and attractive for residents, visitors and businesses. We will continue to monitor the impact of the scheme closely and work with the local community to address any issues as they arise and ensure the arrangements operate as intended.”
