We are pleased to report that the proposals by Enfield Council to introduce parking fees to Forty Hall and a Controlled Parking Zone to the surrounding neighbourhood have been put "on hold".

Our 20-year programme of research excavations in the grounds of Forty Hall on the site of Elsyng Tudor Palace is dependent on our volunteers, many of whom have no alternative means to reach the site, especially with heavy excavation gear.

Had the proposals gone ahead as announced each one of them would have been charged £140 to attend a dig, thus threatening the future of our work not only in Forty Hall but elsewhere in the borough, since our annual dig is our primary means of recruitment.

We hope that any future proposals of a similar nature by the "listening council" will involve dialogue with local volunteer groups likely to be affected, rather than the stonewalling that we received over this one.

We'd like to thank those of you who engaged in the consultation and contacted your councillors over the matter.

The statement by the leader of the council can be read here