Under the new system, drivers would have to pay to park for any duration between 8am and 6.30pm, Mondays through Sundays, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter

Free lunchtime parking in Waltham Forest could be scrapped, as the council argues it has had a negative impact on shoppers and businesses.

Waltham Forest Council will be holding a public consultation on its plans in early October, cabinet members confirmed today (10th September).

Drivers can currently park in bays for 15 minutes at no cost. Parking is also free between 1pm and 2pm.

Under the new system, drivers would have to pay to park for any duration between 8am and 6.30pm, Mondays through Sundays.

The council says a recent review of its parking scheme found it had a detrimental impact on shoppers and businesses.

Highways assistant director Anthony Hall said drivers were “hogging bays for extended periods” and “hindering traffic flow as drivers circle looking for spaces”.

In a report published this week, he said: “[The proposed changes] will ensure regular turnover of vehicles throughout the day and should benefit local businesses by providing potential customers with more options to park and shop during the day, including peak hours.”

The current restrictions were also found to “promote car usage” and not “align with [Waltham Forest] being an active travel borough”.

Londoners are generally encouraged to use public transport – such as buses or the Underground – rather than drive their own cars.

The Mayor of London’s rationale is that fewer “polluting” vehicles on the road will mean cleaner air for residents.

Waltham Forest Council has described air pollution as a “major public health issue” and regularly made it a focus of its policies.

It hopes the proposals will “influence a shift away” from personal vehicles to “more sustainable modes of transport,” the highways boss said.

Clyde Loakes, co-deputy leader of Waltham Forest, described the borough’s parking policy as an “anomaly”.

He added: “It’s become very apparent that we are significantly out of kilter with not only our neighbouring boroughs, but the vast majority of London.”

Drivers must pay to park in Haringey at any time between 8am and 7pm, Mondays through Fridays. Similar restrictions are enforced in Enfield, while Newham Council scrapped free parking last August.

Though the consultation has been approved, it does not mean the scheme will go ahead. Residents will be able to offer their feedback and voice any objections, and the council says it will take their views on board.

The cost of the scheme is expected to be around £150,000.

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