PLANS to introduce Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) across Leyton and Leytonstone have been overwhelmingly rejected.


Results released by Waltham Forest Council today show that the majority of respondents voted no in 271 out of the 280 roads which were consulted.


The authority says it is examining the results of the remaining nine streets and will make a decision whether to introduce CPZs there in the next few days.
 

The proposals, if approved, would have cost resident £22.50p to £120 annually - if they have one car - to park in their street.


The plans prompted widespread outrage, with residents claiming there was no need to introduce new restrictions and businesses fearing it would kill off their trade.


More than 4,000 people also signed a petition, although the council rejected half of the signatures.


The council denied the consultation was a waste of money and said the introduction of temporary Olympic parking restrictions had provided a "unique opportunity" to gauge the views of residents.


Unlike other Olympic boroughs the council even installed permanent signs to inform motorists of the Games-times restrictions. These will now be removed.


Campaigner and petition organiser Claudette Samuel, of Melford Road in Leytonstone, said it had always been clear that most residents were against new CPZs and said the council should reveal how much it spent.
 

She said: “this consultation was so unnecessary and has been a waste of taxpayers' money.


“Regardless of the fact that the community, so far, are getting their say and way, it has cost us time, effort and money to ensure that what we say counts, and this should not be the way.”


She added: “This was far from a fair consultation and we aim to prove this.”


There were widespread reports that many homes and businesses were not sent consultation voting forms, prompting fears that the results would be skewed.
 

Emails seen by the Guardian show the council was aware there was a problem with the distribution of the forms, but the authority believed the numbers affected were so small that they would not impact on the overall results.


The council is yet to name the nine roads which could still have CPZs introduced.