FAMILIES are angry that they will lose an estimated 40 parking spaces when six new bus stops are built in their street.

Residents in Chingford Avenue, Chingford, claim they will be forced to keep their cars in surrounding roads when the planned stops are introduced.

A petition has been organised opposing the scheme, which will include clearways to ease road congestion and raised kerbs to aid elderly passengers.

But according to a company which has been hired to carry out a public consultation on the scheme, elderly residents see the bus stops as essential.

They claim drivers of 397 services have been failing to stop for them on the ‘hale and ride’ section of the route.

Councillors have arranged a public meeting at Chingford Assembly Hall in Station Road on Monday, March 9, to discuss the issues.

The council will then decide whether to give the scheme the go-ahead.

One of the proposed stops is outside the home of Sarah Sutton, who believes an alternative should be looked at.

She said: "The purpose of the campaign is not to isolate any residents, irrespective of age or physical ability. We wish to have meaningful consultation and find alternatives to bus stops as the council have not done this to date.

"Our main focus is education of drivers and passengers on appropriate practices, ie. safe places to wait and pull in, as there are huge inconsistencies in driver/passenger behaviours.

"The council has stated that they are currently reviewing the proposed bus stops to minimise loss of parking. However, there are more far reaching consequences than that.

“Some elderly residents whose properties have proposed stops nearby are fearful that this will lead to loitering and potential anti-social behaviour outside their doors.

"Other residents are also concerned with privacy issues, air and noise pollution, damage and de-valuation of property, littering, graffiti and so on.

“There is also a feeling that this is the thin end of the wedge and the council will implement other things in the future."

The public meeting starts at 7pm.