A CONSULTATION over the introduction of residents parking permits in an area covering an estimated 1,600 households was launched after a request from just 13 people, it has been claimed.


Campaigners have hit out at proposals for a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in Chapel End ward, Walthamstow, as unnecessary because they say most motorists do not have problems finding spaces in the neighbourhood.

A letter sent to residents explaining why the consultation had been launched said "many" households had requested it.

But Tom Wright, 37, of MacDonald Road, said: “After we made some enquiries it turns out that's utter rubbish.


“No-one from my road has requested a CPZ and only 13 people in the whole ward have according to the council themselves.


“We've been knocking on doors and most people do not want a CPZ."

He added: “The council said to me if they get 15 to 20 per cent of residents replying to the consultation they will consider that good. But many homes haven't even been sent the forms.


“If most people wanted a CPZ then I would accept that but I don't think that's the case.”

In a statement to the Guardian, the council did not comment on the number of people who requested a CPZ but said it was confident that the "vast majority" of homes had received consultation forms.

Cllr Clyde Loakes, Cabinet Member for Environment, added: "It is of paramount importance that people understand that the opinions they express in the CPZ consultation forms don't just affect the decision as to whether a CPZ is introduced or not - they entirely determine it.

“In essence a CPZ consultation - unlike a planning consultation for example - is a referendum of the people it affects.

"We will simply act on the will as expressed by the people in their returned consultation forms.

"In affect it is the purest form of democracy in that if the majority of residents of a road respond positively we will introduce a CPZ and if the majority of residents of a road respond negatively we will not."

The consultation closes on Monday October 15.