Sir Oliver Dowden MP recently convened a meeting with local business owners who have been negatively affected by the parking charges imposed at Kemp Place Car Park.

Kemp Place used to provide parking free of charge for the first hour, allowing residents to park near the high street to buy quick essentials.

Last year, the Labour-Liberal Democrat Council in Hertsmere implemented new parking charges in car parks across the Borough, including at Kemp Place. They have recently increased the price from £1.10 for the first hour to £1.15.

At the meeting, businesses described the impact the charges are having on their business, which included a loss in footfall and a loss in turnover.

Sir Oliver said: ‘My fears that parking charges at Kemp Place Car Park, Bushey would hurt businesses have sadly come true.

I recently joined Cllr Paul Morris and local businesses to hear about the loss in footfall and revenue these charges have caused.

I will be taking this up with the Council again and will continue to campaign on the matter.’