Residents in Birch Grove, Leytonstone, say their street is being clogged up with cars from Olympics visitors and staff after council contractors failed to put up signs warning motorists about Games parking restrictions.

Most of Leytonstone and Leyton has been transformed into a temporary permit-only controlled parking zone in an attempt to save space for residents during the Olympics.

Notices have been put up on hundreds of streets but those in Birch Grove, a lengthy residential street close to the Leytonstone High Road on the Cathall estate, are fuming that their neighbourhood has been missed out.

Peter Wager, 67, said he warned the council several weeks ago that there could be problems due to the lack of signage, but was reportedly told they were unnecessary because there was a notice near the entrance to the road.

He said: “It's causing a lot of problems for us trying to find somewhere to park.

“I haven't seen any traffic wardens enforcing this zone, but even if they did presumably anyone who got a ticket could challenge it on the grounds that there are no signs.

“We keep complaining and pointing this out but the council isn't taking any notice of us.

“It seems like incompetence at best.”

Pensioner Dennis Grange, 79, said: “I'm a disabled person – I have a problem with my knee – and I'm frightened to go out shopping now because I'm worried I won't be able to park outside my home when I get back.

“I've been here 14 years and you get to know the cars that park here – all the ones parked outside our homes are not usually here.

“Everyone thinks it's free parking. One woman I spoke to said she thought it was fine to park here because there were no signs.”

Cllr Clyde Loakes, cabinet member for environment, denied that traffic wardens were not patrolling the area and said signs would now be installed.

He added: "Birch Grove is in an existing CPZ and as you enter the estate there are 'Permit Holders Only Beyond this Point' signs.

"This signage means that we did not have to paint markings within the estate which would have spoilt the look and feel of the area, however in similar areas we have installed additional repeater signage at the request of residents to act as a reminder to visitors and following such a request we are in the process of doing the same in Birch Grove."

The zone is in force until Sunday September 9 at the end of the Paralympic Games, and operates between 8am and 9pm Mondays to Sundays, with a two hour break between 1pm and 3pm.

The council will consult on residents if they want the parking restrictions to be made permanent after the Games.

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