RESIDENTS claim they are being made to suffer new parking restrictions because council staff refuse to use the authority's controversial pay and display car parks.

Extra restrictions are to be introduced in The Ridgeway, Chingford, because council workers are leaving their cars there.

But Cllr Eric Sizer, the cabinet member responsible, said this week it would be "jumping the gun" to introduce the changes before a review of the car parking charges.

Residents feel they are being punished because of a feud between the authority and its workers.

The council introduced NCP pay and display parking at its offices across Waltham Forest, including those in The Ridgeway, in October.

Since then, workers have been boycotting municipal parking bays in protest and leaving their cars in neighbouring roads.

The council has responded by announcing plans to introduce double yellow lines at the junctions of Warren Road and College Gardens and Nevin Drive and College Gardens in The Ridgeway. Lines will also be extended to the hill in College Gardens.

A "keep clear" marking will be placed at the main exit of the fire station in The Ridgeway if the plans are accepted, and at the stops near the council offices.

"No stopping except buses" markings would also be introduced on both sides of the road.

Ridgeway resident Helen Scutt, 29, said: "The Ridgeway is an accident blackspot anyway and this is only making it worse.

"I think it's wrong for the council to charge its workers."

Cllr Sizer, cabinet member for environment, said: "I haven't been consulted on this myself yet.

"We have the six-month review of the council's car park charging coming up and I think it would be jumping the gun if we introduce parking restrictions before seeing the results of the review. "

The council has recently agreed to make town hall and municipal office parking free after 6pm to try to appease workers.

A council spokesman said the parking restriction plans had been introduced to improve visibility and safety in The Ridgeway and the markings would be put in place within the next few weeks. He added: "These restrictions will predominantly be placed in areas where drivers should not park for safety and access reasons.

"This includes parking close to road junctions, by bus stops and outside the fire station exit."