CONTROVERSIAL parking plans have been shrunk down to a fraction of their size after residents demanded to be consulted first.

There was uproar in Wanstead when Redbridge Council first revealed plans to introduce pay and display parking in the high street and permits in residential roads in November last year.

Originally due to be rolled out without any consultation, the proposals were highly contested by community members and opposition councillors, who claimed they were unnecessary and a “cash cow” scheme.  

In January the council relented and leader Cllr Jas Athwal and cabinet member Cllr John Howard promised a “gold-standard” consultation.

Today (Friday, August 4) the results have finally been revealed – with only 16 roads earmarked for parking permits out of the dozens originally proposed.

Residents in roads like Redbridge Lane West, Ellesmere Close, Cowley, and Wellington will have to pay £60 for their first permit, £82 for the second, and £108 for each one thereafter.

Permits will be required between 8.30am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday, with daily visitor passes priced at £6.30 for a pack of 10.

The respondents of the 4,200 questionnaires backed plans for pay and display on the high street by 43 per cent, which means people will now have to pay to park there after the first 30 minutes.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Cllr John Howard (left) and Cllr Jas Athwal decided to consult on the scheme after residents launched a campaign against it

Cllr Howard said: “We’ve listened carefully to what residents have told us and I think across the board people will be pleased about what’s going on with parking on their road.

“The scheme is much smaller than it was before.

“Residents made a powerful case backed by ward councillors Sheila Bain and Paul Merry.

“We could’ve put restrictions in controversial roads, but we’ve ended up just putting them where people want them.”

Cllr Howard said the pay and display machines on Wanstead High Street will be “proper parking meters” with alpha-numeric keyboards, which will accept both cash and card via the RingGo system.

After shoppers enter their registration number, they can push the green button to get their first half an hour free, which Cllr Howard says will stop people “abusing the system”.

He added: “These changes are necessary to ensure Wanstead remains a vibrant commercial and residential area where local shops and businesses at its core.”

High Street parking restrictions will be in place between 8.30am and 6.30am Monday to Saturday.

The data shows only 14 roads agreed that permits were needed there, while 10 had an even split of those in favour and against.

Only 20 per cent of people who were sent the questionnaires actually filled them out and returned them.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

A public meeting about the scheme in January was packed out with angry residents 

The final plans are being implemented under a permanent traffic management order, which gives people the first 21 days to object.

The council says it hopes the scheme will be in place in January next year.

Wanstead Labour Cllr Sheila Bain said: “I thank Cllr John Howard and the leader for taking on board the concerns of residents and myself and undertaking a full consultation – thank you to everyone who returned consultation forms or took part in the online survey.”

Her colleague Cllr Paul Merry added: “Due to the increasing pressures on parking in and around the high street, I believe the new parking offer will improve footfall and paying consumers to Wanstead High Street by encouraging less long term commuter parking.”

Some more cocal campaigners slammed the consultation, claiming the questions were biased, and are still threatening to take the case to the local government ombudsman.

The results are available on the council’s website.

Will you have to get a parking permit?

Here is a list of the 16 roads that will:

  • Redbridge Lane West
  • Wigram Road (including Elm Close)
  • Ellesmere Close
  • Forest Close
  • Highstone Avenue
  • Hollybush Close
  • The Rise
  • Cowley Road
  • Deepdene Close
  • Eagle Lane
  • Halstead Road
  • Malcolm Way
  • Nelson Road
  • Sylvan Road
  • Wellesley Road
  • Wellington Road (including Wellington Passage)