I read with interest the letter from William Carre about the Oxhey parking consultation (Divisive parking survey, Letters to the Editor, July 26). He seems to be saying that because the issue is divisive we should ignore the views of everyone who disagrees with him. But we have to listen to everyone and find the solution that is acceptable to the greatest number of people.

READ MORE: Letter: Parking is a divisive issue

Mr Carre clearly suspects some deep, dark conspiracy. The truth is simpler – people disagree about parking. Neither councillors nor the council as a body has any wish either to impose on people a scheme they don’t want or deny them one that they do.

The results of the previous consultation showed (broadly) that in areas closer to Bushey Station, where commuter parking is greatest, more people want parking controls than oppose them. The reverse is true in areas where commuter parking is less of a problem. The proposals in the current consultation reflect that response.

This is no different to the situation across the rest of Watford. Permit parking schemes operate in some areas, where residents have voted in favour of them. Other areas don’t want them and so don’t have them. And in a few places there is divided opinion, which can only be resolved by occasionally asking people their views and abiding by their wishes as best we can. Occasionally residents do change their minds if parking problems appear to have got worse, including when neighbouring streets have adopted parking controls.

I am not sure what Mr Barre finds ‘emotive’ about a question that reads ‘Do you support the principle of parking controls in your street?’ It seems pretty neutral to me, lacking any obviously impassioned or overwrought use of language. But, contrary to his implication, if we took this as a single vote applying to Oxhey on a one-size-fits all basis then, as most responses were in favour, we would be proposing parking controls for the whole area, including groups of roads where residents clearly voted against them. Instead, we have tried to respect the differing opinions of people in different parts of Oxhey.

Iain Sharpe

Watford Borough Councillor for Oxhey ward