A MOTHER has questioned why parking charges in Woodford are higher than in neighbouring areas.

Denise Griffiths said parking around Woodford Green is a postcode lottery as some places are more expensive than others.

As well as wanting to see a standard minimum tariff across the borough she would also like to see minimum charges brought in line with parking charges in other areas.

Mrs Griffiths said she has never comlained about anything before but she was moved to call the council this morning after spending £1.30 using two differnt car parks for less than five minutes.

Mrs Griffiths, of St Ronans Crescent, Woodford Green, paid 70p this morning to park in the car park in Derby Road as she sropped her four-year-old daughter Kathryn at the Tudor Rose Ballet School.

She said the minimum charge is 70p for an hour stay and she was away from her car for about a minute as she took her daughter across the road.

Mrs Griffiths, 51, then parked in Woodford Green High Road as she visited the post office.

She said she must have been about two minutes and it cost her 60p.

She said she doesn't oppose parking charges as she often walks but she said it it only costs 10p for a 30-minute stay in Queens Road, Buckhurst Hill.

A spokesman for Epping Forest Council said Queens Road is deemed a short stay car park so it is 10p for 30 minutes, 65p for an hour and £1.30 for two hours.

Mrs Griffiths said she feels Redbridge Council is "ripping off" residents compared with what residents living a matter of miles away experience.

She said: "There should be standard minimum charges across the borough and if it can be 10p for 30 minutes in Buckhurst Hill why can't it be the same here?"

Mrs Griffiths said the 10p charge in Buckhurst Hill seems to help customers and traders "as customers feel more like using their local facilities".

A spokeswoman for the council said: "All council-owned pay and display parking have set charges.

"There is one standard system for off street car parks and a separate one for on street pay and display parking.

"On street parking is generally more convenient for quick trips to the shops and this is reflected in the availability of shorter parking periods that are currently available in our off street car parks.

"The council regularly reviews its parking strategy and charges, including the charging periods which are available both on and off street."