One of east London’s most treasured green spaces risks being destroyed by endless parked cars and piles of rubbish, neighbours have warned.

Centre Road runs through Wanstead Flats from Aldersbrook to Forest Gate, and until recently gave drivers, dog walkers, and cyclists an uninterrupted view of the park.

But after Newham Council introduced parking permits in Forest Gate in January, the road has been completely packed with parked cars.

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Centre Road, Wanstead Flats (Photo: Mark Soanes)

Residents on the Redbridge side claim Newham’s new rules are to blame for the "parking crisis", which has also resulted in fly-tipping, and “all sorts” of anti-social behaviour.

Timothy Downes has lived in Overton Drive, Wanstead for over 20 years and is “appalled” by what is happening.

He said: “It’s such a shame because Wanstead Flats is so unique. 

“It’s such a wonderful open space in the heart of east London, but now it’s being destroyed.

“There was never anything like this before, but now they’ve got nowhere else to go, people are leaving their cars parked for weeks on end and dumping rubbish everywhere – it’s awful.”

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Fly-tipping in Centre Road, Wanstead Flats (Photo: Mark Soanes)

Mr Downes claims the endless queue of cars is making the road dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists and other drivers, while the fly-tipping is endangering wildlife.

Redbridge opposition councillor Christopher Cummins says people have been spotted sleeping in their cars and engaging in prostitution.

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Graffiti on abandonned truck in Centre Road, Wanstead Flats (Photo: Mark Soanes)

His Conservative colleague Michelle Dunn is also furious, and has been lobbying Redbridge’s Labour group, Newham Council, and the City of London Corporation for months.

She said: “Everyone needs to get round a table and sort this out.

“We had a meeting about it a while ago, but still nothing has been done. It’s being going on for far too long now.”

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Wanstead Flats is a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI)

The Wanstead councillor rubbished suggestions of painting double yellow lines in Centre Road to tackle the problem, claiming it will only push it into other roads in Aldersbrook.

She believes CCTV and one-hour parking bans are the only way to stop people abusing the system on the Redbridge side of the Flats.

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More fly-tipping in Centre Road, Wanstead Flats (Photo: Mark Soanes)

Mr Downes agreed, adding: “Banning parking is the only way to protect this iconic area and its wildlife.”

A Redbridge Council claims it has "taken action" in both Centre and Lake House Road.

A spokesman said: "We will be introducing double yellow lines with a limited amount of daytime parking bays towards the Newham end of Centre Road.

"This should alleviate the safety issues caused by unsafe parking and solve the fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour that has been happening."

Newham Council claims it consulted Redbridge before introducing parking changes around the Flats.

A spokesman said: "We have kept Redbridge Council informed of any plans or proposed changes through our consultation process prior to introducing parking zones.

"We have also offered our assistance from our parking team to offer advice on parking design matters.

"We will continue to work with them to resolve any issues raised by residents, but issues around fly-tipping in Centre Road, which is located in Redbridge, are outside the remit of Newham Council and are the responsibility of Redbridge Council.”