Redbridge Council says drivers caught out by the introduction of Wanstead’s controversial new parking scheme will avoid being fined.

New parking rules on the High Street and surrounding roads launched on Monday following months of fierce debate over plans.

A pay-and-display scheme has been introduced for the High Street, where drivers will only be allowed a maximum stay of three hours between Monday to Saturday, 8.30am to 6.30pm.

In addition, residents-only parking controls have also been introduced on more than 15 nearby streets between Monday and Friday, 8.30am to 6.30pm.

The introduction of the scheme has not been without controversy, with thousands of residents signing various petitions against the plans.

Critics claim new parking controls will hit businesses by forcing customers elsewhere and could even lead to more accidents on the High Street.

Residents in roads where parking restrictions have been introduced were invited to apply for permits by the council at the beginning of this month.

However, the Guardian Series understands some homeowners had yet to receive their permits from the local authority a matter of days before the scheme’s introduction.

Redbridge Council said drivers would only be issued with warning notices in the first days after new rules came into effect.

A council spokesman said: “Our parking team have been processing all applications received and are up to date, any residents who have had any technical issues with either the evidence provided or the website are being helped through the process.

“We’d like to reassure residents that as per normal practice warning notices will be issued to those not displaying permits in the first few days of operation of the zone, so residents who have not received their permits on time will not be issued with fines.”

Redbridge Council sent 4,200 consultation packs to homeowners living in the high street and surrounding roads in March 2017.

A total of 36 per cent of people said pay and display would make it easier to park while 31 per cent opposed plans.

Anyone with concerns over parking permit applications can email: parkingandtrafficenforcement@redbridge.gov.uk or call 020 8708 3636 during office hours for more information.