Review of the year: February - Priest hits out at ‘unfair’ parking charges (From Enfield Independent)

Review of the year: February - Priest hits out at ‘unfair’ parking charges

4:10pm Tuesday 25th December 2012 in News By Hermione Wright

Census results at the end of the year showed a decline in the number of people describing themselves as Christian, but in February an Enfield priest saw a more prosaic reason for empty pews.

Father Slawomir Wilton, of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St George Church in London Road, claimed Sunday parking charges introduced in Enfield Town in January had led to a fall in his congregation.

He claimed the charges – which resulted in months of controversy – meant many worshippers instead flocked to neighbouring parishes where they did not need to pay to park.

He said: “It’s unfair for people to be put in the position where money becomes an object for people to come to church.”

Councillor Chris Bond championed the charges – believing they would reduce congestion, improve the turnover of parking spaces as well as encourage people to use public transport, cycle, or walk into Enfield Town.

Earlier in the month, a father spoke of the “surreal” nature of his son Charlie's delivery after he was born in a taxi on the way to Chase Farm Hospital.

Chris O’Connor, 35, said: “The taxi driver didn’t say a thing. I think he was in shock. He was driving really carefully, but when I said the head was out he started moving a lot faster.”

A £3million revamp of Edmonton Green Shopping Centre was also approved after home and garden business Wilkinson signed a 15-year deal to move into the centre’s North Square.

Improvements to shop fronts, flooring and street furniture were just some of the changes given the go-ahead.