The proposed expansion to Wanstead’s permit parking scheme is a threat to our local economy and community spirit, says Councillor Paul Canal, who encourages participation in the consultation
Redbridge Council is hungry for more of your cash, and their latest wheeze is to extend the Wanstead permit parking scheme, with permits costing up to £223 a year.
Our old, well-managed scheme, with its 9.30am to 10.30am curfew, worked well but was extended a few years ago to fill the council’s coffers. This latest ruse is slow death by a thousand incremental expansions, known internally as ‘monetising the roads’. They forget they are our roads and we have already paid for them!
Wanstead is known for its vibrant local businesses, quaint cafés, independent shops and pubs that contribute to our community’s unique charm. Extending the permit scheme will deter potential customers from visiting these establishments due to the added inconvenience and cost of obtaining permits. Reduced foot traffic will lead to a decline in sales, forcing some businesses to cut back on staff or even close. Back-street pubs and cafés face a calamitous loss of daytime trade.
Easy access to parking is crucial for fostering community interactions and social life. Extended permit schemes can hinder social activities by making it more difficult for friends and family to visit residents. Social isolation can increase, particularly affecting the elderly and those with limited mobility who rely on visits from friends, family and carers. Our community’s social fabric is strengthened by ease of interaction, and complicated parking restrictions will further undermine this.
For many residents, especially those on a tight budget or with children at home who use a car to get to work, the cost of parking permits will add up significantly – second car permits are five times the cost of the first permit! It is also regressive – more expensive homes with driveways will still get free parking – it’s those of us in flats and terraces who will have to pay.
Moreover, the permit scheme does not necessarily guarantee parking availability, which means residents might still struggle to find convenient parking spots despite paying for permits. This situation creates frustration and a sense of unfairness among the community.
If you agree with me, you can stop it! The council are ‘consulting’ and if enough people object to their skewed survey, they may pull or scale back the scheme (not that Redbridge has a great record of listening to residents, but we can always hope). So, make your voice heard and say you don’t want to have to pay to park outside your own house.
The Wanstead permit parking consultation is open until 18 August. Visit wnstd.com/parking24
Paul Canal is a Wanstead resident and Conservative councillor for Bridge ward.
