As you may be aware, Welwyn Garden City is introducing a parking permit scheme for residents within Parts of Burrowfield, Chequers, Cole Green Lane, East Burrowfield, Four Acres, Gooseacre, Great Ley, Hitherbaulk, Hollybush Lane, Homestead Lane, Hunters Way, Hyde Valley, Kenyon Place, Leigh Common, Little Burrowfield, Little Ley, Meadway, Oaken Grove, Old Dairy Yard, Raymonds Close, Raymonds Plain, Sir John Newsom Way, Southfield, Twelve Acres, Two Acres, West Burrowfield, Woodberry Close, Woodhall Lane.
 
A large percentage of Welwyn Garden City residents strongly object to the scheme as it offers no benefit to them, and instead restricts them in many ways, and would seem to serve only as a fundraiser for the Council without addressing any real issue of parking within these areas.
 
As residents of Welwyn Garden City, we find the proposed parking restrictions not only unnecessary but also excessively expensive. This added burden will affect individuals and families who live, work, and contribute to this community. This change places additional financial strains on the very people who make this town special.
 
The purpose of this petition is to object the proposed permitted parking restrictions in Welwyn Garden City. We urge the local council to reconsider the proposed changes. Please, sign this petition to demonstrate your opposition, and commitment to maintaining the  accessibility of Welwyn Garden City.
 
Key Concerns:
 
a)         Paying (£43.00 for 1st permit, £70.00 for 2nd) for a scheme which               does not guarantee a space. 
 
b)         Discrimination against families who may be registered at the same address and lived in Welwyn Garden City all their lives but with more than 2 vehicles per household - including families with children of driving age.
 
c)         Discrimination against low income residents as these restrictions will place an excessive burden 
 
d)         Discrimination against residents with mobility issues as the requirement to pay for temporary visitor's permits on a £1.05 per day/per vehicle basis could impact on their mental and social health due to reduced visitors as cost could become an issue. 
 
e)         Discrimination against the pensioner community as the requirement to pay for temporary visitor's permits on a £1.05 per day/per vehicle basis could impact on their mental and social health due to reduced visitors as cost could become an issue. 
 
The reasons for the proposed restriction as per council documents state that Having considered the duty imposed by Section 122 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, it appears to Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council that it is necessary and expedient to make an Order for the following reasons: -
•  For the avoidance of danger to persons or other traffic using the road and preventing the likelihood of any such danger arising.
• For preventing the use of the road by vehicular traffic in a manner which, is unsuitable having regard to the existing character of the road or adjoining property.
 
We the residents do not believe there is an inherent risk as stated. We do not see evidence that the potential parking restrictions as proposed will work to support the reasons stated by the council. We do not believe imposing permitted parking restriction will have any impact on the reasons stated. 
 
In summary, this has been a poorly thought out scheme which has totally disregarded the needs and concerns of the people it affects directly, the residents of Welwyn Garden City, and in fact discriminates against many of them. We need to take positive action now to prevent this scheme going ahead and force our Council who are responsible for this money making scheme to listen to the residents and stop this.