The demand is almost exclusively from the people (commuters) who insist on driving to Sydenham Station - you will find that a lot of them come from outside Lewisham Borough which explains your query about Lewisham having a low rate of car ownership. People will drive at least 5 miles plus to get a free parking space with such ease of access to the main up line to London Bridge. I agree that the Council need to introduce and enforce residents only parking, predominantly between 12.00 - 2.00pm, which will also allow for visitors to Sydenham shops outside those hours._HB wrote:I don't understand where this demand is coming from. Lewisham has one of the lowest rates of car ownership in the country. If the Council properly introduced and enforced residents only parking in the residential streets around the Borough there would be no problem.
It is all very well the Council maximising revenue to fund vital services partly via permits and to reduce pollution, free up public space, encourage moderate exercise, etc, etc. However, like it or not, people want and need cars - no matter how much the Council and others try to discourage it. They are a necessary evil and they are here to stay. I think all commuters who drive and park around Sydenham or come to think of it - any of the other local stations should consider walking or hoping on a bus to their nearest station. But can you really see anyone doing this? Sadly a lot of people today are selfish and quite frankly couldn't give a monkey's chuff about the environment or residents, as long as they themselves are not inconvenienced and can rely on their nice, warm and cosy cars to get them from A to B.