A CONTROVERSIAL parking scheme could be pulled after three months if it “makes people’s lives a misery”, the council leader has said.

Residents and business owners have been “up in arms” ever since Redbridge Council revealed plans to introduce pay and display parking charges in Wanstead High Street and permits in surrounding roads from February 2017.

The £93,000 scheme is being rolled out under an experimental traffic order, which means the council does not have to consult people beforehand.

But Redbridge leader Jas Athwal has revealed he will pull the scheme after just a few months if it is unsuccessful.

He said: “I want to improve Wanstead High Street by giving shoppers a chance to park and helping businesses make money by making sure people can park.

“I also want to help people in surrounding roads to stop high street parking being displaced in front of their homes.

“The evidence is there to show there are serious problems with parking in Wanstead, but it would be politically foolish of me to do something that just makes everyone angry.”

He added: “When you’re introducing something as controversial as this you need to be flexible.

“It could last for 18 months or it could last for three.

“If it makes people’s lives a misery we will stop it.”

In response to accusations of “victimising Wanstead” and using it as a “cash cow” to make the council money, the Redbridge boss claimed there are other similar schemes planned for elsewhere.

He said: “There are at least three parking schemes in the pipeline for other areas of the borough in very early 2017.

“This scheme was already taken up by the Tories five years ago, they just wilted under pressure from residents – that is something I will not do.

“Thirty minutes free parking is one of the most popular policies.

“Whether it’s in Ilford, Barkingside, or Woodford, people really appreciate being able to park up, do what they need to do, and be on their way.”

Snaresbrook councillors have called a public meeting to let people “voice their concerns” after information sessions at Wanstead Library proved unsatisfactory.

Cllr Athwal refused to commit to the meeting, but said he would be “happy to meet with residents in another forum”.

He said: “We need to work this out as a community together.

“Councillors are not aliens from Mars, we are local residents too, and at the end of the day we just want the best for everyone.”

The public meeting will be held at the scout hut in Hollybush Hill at 7.15pm on January 13.