A FRESH look should be taken at a Walthamstow Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), a DIY consultation has shown.

The CPZ covers streets in the William Morris ward including Winns Terrace and Winns Avenue, but residents in surrounding streets say it has led motorists to park in Carr Road, Fleeming Road and Elphinstone Road to avoid paying charges.

They formed the William Morris action group to do a consultation survey of their own as they felt the council’s consultation was inadequate.

Nick Woods, an engineer of Carr Road Walthamstow, who collated the data said: “I think people basically want to get rid of the CPZ on Winns Avenue.

“They only implemented it there in November and that’s what’s caused the massive wave of cars to move onto the rest of the streets.”

The survey, sent out to 1,200 people with a 31 per cent response rate, showed that most people did not want a CPZ at all and wanted the council to go back to the drawing board.

During a meeting on March 4, the action group presented their findings to ward councillors. Council officers have said the council are now to take another look at the CPZ in the area.

John Smith, who lives in Carr Road and was heavily involved in drawing up and distributing the survey, said: “Councillors and council officers agreed mistakes had been made when introducing new controlled parking zones in the area. They also agreed to respond to the results of our survey within the next three weeks.”

However, council leader Cllr John Macklin stated that the council’s methods of consultation were very different to those of the William Morris action group.

He said: “It is impossible to compare responses. We will find ourselves bogged down discussing whose methodology is more appropriate and valid.

“Essentially, the council’s illustrates why the decision was made, and those from John Smith and colleagues illustrate why the decision needs to be looked at.

“We do not need to fight every battle because it could detract from what we all want which is a parking policy and any subsequent implementation that meets residents’ needs.”

Cabinet member for environment Cllr Bob Belam added that a review of the CPZ was to be carried out and the council is to “consider whether any changes to the original scheme are required”.