Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers is working with the police, local people and Barnet Council to tackle anti-social activities by car repairers who are making life a misery for residents in Cromwell and Hampden Roads and neighbouring streets in the N10 area.
Theresa recently attended a public meeting to discuss longstanding issues surrounding TL Motors and Hampden Motor Services.
She was told cars are regularly left in neighbouring roads for weeks obstructing traffic, repairs take place on the street, and vehicles are dropped off at anti-social hours. She later met a group of concerned local residents to walk round the roads affected and see the problem for herself.
Residents believe that the nuisance being caused contravenes planning consent for the garages and Theresa wrote to the owner of the premises to complain. He has said he will contact his tenants and ask them to make sure they comply with their obligations under their leases.
Barnet Council has been asked by Theresa to consider planning enforcement action against the garages.
The police will also undertake speed gun operations and Theresa contacted the DVLA who have been to the area to look for untaxed vehicles.
“Feelings are running high about the activities of these garages because they are making life a misery for local people,” said Theresa.
“This anti-social behaviour needs to stop. I thank all the agencies for responding so quickly when I contacted them about and the concerns of my constituents.
“I've seen for myself the problems occurring in Hampden Road and neighbouring streets. It is vital that the landlord of these garages takes this situation seriously and ensures his tenants start behaving a much more responsible way."
“It is important that the police and the council have now been made fully aware of the problems and I will be working with people to try to tackle this problem.
Residents in Hampden Road, Cromwell Road, Pembroke Road and Strode Close, the streets most directly affected by this controversy, have formed an action group called SOS Coppetts to try to resolve these issues.