At tonights meeting of the Full Council, South Norwood Councillor, Jane Avis presented a petition on behalf of local traders in South Norwood of over 190 names, to suspend parking charges in the run up to Christmas.

Councillor Avis described how Labour Action Team member, Wayne Lawlor, had received a penalty charge notice some months ago for purchasing a ticket from the 'wrong machine'.

Speaking at the Full Council meeting, Councillor Avis called for Croydon's Tory council to share some Christmas cheer with the people of South Norwood. She described the feedback that she, Wayne Lawlor and Kathy Bee have received whilst gathering petitions as powerful, and that local residents feel abandoned by the local Tories.

Labour's Deputy leader, Councillor Alison Bulter continually pressed the ruling Tory Group to suspend parking charges, in line with Coulsdon district shopping centre. Both councillors demands fell on deaf ears as Conservative councillors laughed at the plight of South Norwood traders. One Tory party activist in South Norwood, who was present at the meeting described local efforts to end this parking charge scandal as 'quite funny'.

Councillor Jane Avis said "I am appalled at the arrogance of the Tories in Croydon, who are allowing what many traders have described as parking extortion to continue on their watch. We will not give up fighting for South Norwood residents, and will step up the pressure'.

Wayne Lawlor said, "I am not surprised at the Tory councils decision, however I was disgusted that they found the plight of South Norwood traders so amusing! I found the Tory's behaviour to be childish, carefree and uninterested in Ward issues. Not one Tory councillor came to the aid of South Norwood residents. They really are not interested in helping local people. They have displayed their true colours tonight."

Kathy Bee, who was still gathering petitions until late this afternoon described the feeling in South Norwood on this issue as 'explosive'. Kathy said, "it is not enough for the Tories to aggressively target shoppers and traders in South Norwood, they did not even have the decency to suspend parking charges in the run up to Christmas. They are Scrooges!"