Shoppers say that half an hour of free parking in high streets and car parks would be "fair, efficient and easy".

Hundreds of people have come out in support of the Times Series ’30 Minutes Free’ campaign, and today we are launching a petition to ask Barnet Borough Council to bring in a new parking system.

Our petition lasts three months and in that time, we hope to garner a total of 3,000 signatures.

Among readers calling or emailing to support the idea, Jez Sims, who lives in Barnet, said: “Anything that serves to dissuade people from parking is just another barrier to high street shopping."

“The leaders of Barnet are being arrogantly complacent if it thinks its short-term attitude to parking won't accelerate the disintegration of real shopping as we know it. I maintain it will.

“A novelty gesture of 30 minutes' free parking in the week before Christmas will only be worthwhile if the council comes to realise that the retailing community is desperate for this to be introduced now on an ongoing basis.

“It will finally indicate that it is thinking proactively, and does understand the concerns of the community at large.”

Parking fees for just half an hour in the borough's car parks can vary from 50p to £1 – and cost an extra 10p if drivers pay by phone.

Cash meters were removed from the borough’s streets in 2010, so now motorists' only option is to pay by phone or to use your bank card.

George Jones, of Mill Hill Broadway, said he prefers to drive to Borehamwood to run errands as he rarely takes his mobile phone out with him, so finds himself unable to pay

In Lodge Lane, North Finchley, for instance however, it costs 75p to park for a half an hour time slot - whereas it is free in Borehamwood.

The 81-year-old said: “It’s awful around here and half an hour free parking would make so much difference.

“In Borehamwood it’s cheap, efficient and easy. In Barnet, it’s not a good system and it’s not a fair system.”

Judith May said: “There is always a parking space due to the turnover of cars, and in 30 minutes you can do the bank, post office or have a quick coffee.”

But Councillor Dean Cohen, who chairs Barnet Council's environment committee, denied the decline of the high street was due to parking.

He said: “We need to bust the myth that the health of the high street is all about parking. What we all really need to focus on is how we can help the high street adjust and innovate to meet the demands of the 21st century consumer.”

Are you a trader who wants to include a hand-written copy of our petition in your shop? E-mail aslater@london.newsquest.co.uk