THE council's handling of a Walthamstow Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) has caused "real misery" according to ward councillors.

The CPZ, which covers streets in William Morris ward including Winns Terrace and Winns Avenue, has been contested by many residents since it was implemented in January on a trial basis.

And Cllrs Geraldine Reardon and Adam Gladstone, who represent the ward along with Cllr Bob Wheatley, have now sent a letter to residents, in which they "apologise unreservedly" for the "misery" caused.

A DIY consultation carried out by William Morris Car Parking Action Group (WMCPAG) concluded that most residents felt the council should take a fresh look at the CPZ.

According to the letter: "It was the responsibility, indeed duty, of the council to ensure that when necessary changes were being made, the parking pressures and needs of the whole community were fully considered.

"This clearly didn't happen. As ward councillors we accept our share of the blame."

It also describes the burden on officers at the police station in nearby Forest Road and on staff at Winns Primary School, who have not been given additional parking bays.

"It is not acceptable for the council to offer them no assistance whatsoever," the letter states.

"The very people who provide our area with vital community services will be driven out by poor practice on the part of the council."

It adds: "It is very clear to us that people living outside the new zones...had no idea they were coming until parking hell started and have lost any confidence in the council dealing with their concerns in a timely and appropriate way."

WMCPAG is made up of residents of streets including Carr, Elphinstone and Fleeming Roads, which are not part of the current CPZ.

They were not included in the original consultation carried out by the council and have said their streets are now full of cars owned by people trying to avoid paying CPZ charges.

The letter continues: "Certainly, existing CPZs should not be removed but we would want changes. The boundaries have been badly and illogically drawn and should be corrected."

But Nick Woods, an engineer, of Carr Road, who is a member of WMCPAG, has said the councillors' response was inadequate.

"They've done nothing, really," he said.

"I think it's just a campaign to get votes in time for the election."

WMCPAG has now written to public realm assistant director Keith Hanshaw to raise a formal objection to the introduction of the CPZ.

A further traffic survey and consultation are also to be carried out by the council, according to the letter.