THE total cost of consultations into Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ) in the borough this year has been more than £33,000, Waltham Forest Council has confirmed.

The issue of resident and business permit parking has caused controversy in recent months, with thousands opposing the measures during a variety of referendums across the borough.

The consultations have led to the introduction of new restrictions in a handful of streets but the vast majority of respondents rejected them in most recent cases, leading anti-CPZ campaigners to accuse the council of wasting money.

The Guardian reported yesterday how the authority had spent more than £22,000 on CPZ consultations in the first half of this year, but had not revealed further figures.

Town hall sources claimed the authority spent a further £9,000 on a survey asking households if they wanted Olympic parking restrictions in Leyton and Leytonstone to be made permanent.

But the council has now revealed the actual figure was £5,300, along with £1,660 on a consultation in Walthamstow's Chapel End ward and £4,000 on referendums in Chingford and Highams Park. 

The Olympic CPZ consultation was paid for out of money from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG).

A council spokesman said the costs covered delivery and printing of the forms, along with hall hire for consultation events in some cases.

The authority has not commented on reports it withheld money from its consultation contractors in Leyton and Leytonstone following complaints that hundreds of homes were not sent voting papers.