Neighbours fear that plans to charge for parking near a park will “harm” vulnerable people.
Redbridge Council has proposed introducing short stay charges for visitors parking on at least three roads near Wanstead Park.
Visitors would be required to pay for parking on their phones if they want to stay for longer than an hour in Clavering Road, Northumberland Avenue and Arran Drive.
Currently, people can park along one side of Northumberland Avenue for free for up to three hours.
The new bays would be for “shared use parking”, which means residents would also be allowed to use them if they display a valid permit.
The maximum parking time of three hours for visitors would be unaffected by the proposals.
But Beverley Taylor, who has lived in Clavering Road for 20 years, says neighbours in the area oppose charging visitors for parking on their streets.
She said residents would be unaffected by the plans, and that she was instead worried that vulnerable visitors to the park would suffer.
“The park is a shared space and that became very evident during the pandemic,” she explained.
“It’s not our park, it’s everyone’s park.
“There was never conflict here about parking, it’s always been completely harmonious.”
She added that even to access one free hour of parking, visitors would have to use their phone to register their vehicle.
“The people who will be affected are those that come sometimes twice a day who are often over the age of 65 and may not have a smartphone,” Beverley said.
“If this scheme stops one person going outside and having human contact, I think it’s done harm.”
A Redbridge Council consultation on the changes is due to end on Friday (December 20).
Beverley added: “I’m making objections because I can walk to the park – it’s a privilege to live next to that green space but there’s plenty of people who come quite a distance and that’s the only time they’re outside.”
A council spokesperson said that the local authority is trying to "balance the needs of local people" with its commitment to "reduce pollution and unnecessary car journeys".
They added: “If the proposals are approved, they would not prevent visitors to Wanstead Park from continuing to park on the surrounding roads.
"The proposal is that the first hour will remain free of charge, and parking will remain available for up to three hours.
“We will carefully consider all feedback we receive during the consultation process, and the final decision will be made in the new year."
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