The council’s plan to scrap free 15 minute parking at its pay-to-park bays has caused uproar from car-reliant Chingford residents, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter

Residents in Chingford have rallied against plans to scrap free parking, saying they rely too heavily on their cars.
Currently, motorists can park for up to 15 minutes for free in any of the borough’s pay-to-park (P2P) bays. Parking is also free between 1pm and 2pm.
But Waltham Forest Council plans to scrap these incentives, stating that doing so will improve air quality and encourage people to drive less.
The controversial policy was discussed by the council’s climate scrutiny committee at a meeting last night (23rd January), with dozens of Chingford residents in attendance.
Around 90% of business owners consulted said they opposed the removal of the 15-minute free period, while 93% of respondents opposed the changes.
More than 6,000 people signed a petition against the plans, organised by Waltham Forest Conservatives.
Though the south of the borough is well served by the London Underground and bus routes, public transport is sparser in the north, with Tory councillors saying that residents, workers and shoppers there “need” to drive as a result.
It was also revealed during the meeting the statutory consultation had cost the town hall about £22,000. Conservative councillors Mitchell Goldie and Jemma Hemsted said it had been a “waste of money” if the results “were not being listened to”.
Jarlath Griffin, the council’s neighbourhoods director, said that although some residents disagreed, the town hall was working to make the borough a healthier place.
He said Waltham Forest wanted to promote “active travel,” such as walking or cycling, improve air quality in the borough and reduce car usage.
He added that Chingford, where opposition has been at its strongest, was “overrepresented” in the consultation results.
Conservative group leader Councillor Emma Best said that “too much change at once” could upset the borough and asked councillors to consider a pilot scheme. She said there was no one-size-fits-all solution for all of Waltham Forest, and local contexts had to be considered.
Labour councillor and committee vice chair Caramel Quin said the plan was “very sound”. She said the town hall, which is facing an £18m overspend, “should not subsidise people popping to the shops” and suggested residents park in side streets.
Siobhan Wing, who runs Bonbons Boutiques in Station Road, said her shop was being put at risk.
She said: “I moved to Station Road thinking I could grow. I’m now terrified I will go out of business.”
The mother-of-six told the committee the changes would “drive away” customers to places like Buckhurst Hill and Woodford, and there “would be no Station Road left”.
Other residents warned that shoppers would be forced to drive further afield, to supermarkets past the North Circular Road. They said this could in turn lead to an increase in carbon emissions, which would undermine the council’s eco scheme.
After each of the six speakers finished their three-minute address to the committee, there was loud cheering and whooping from the public gallery, which was split over two floors.
Residents later told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) they were “frustrated,” “disappointed,” and “livid”.
During the meeting, some members had to be told to stop shouting out in protest from the public gallery by committee chair Tony Bell.
There were cries that Chingford was being “discriminated against” by the policy, though many residents were complaining they could not hear the officers’ answers.
Towards the end of the meeting, members of the committee put forward several formal recommendations for the cabinet.
Only one was passed: a Labour councillor’s motion to help residents apply for Blue Badge schemes, which allows people with mobility issues to park in specially allocated bays.
The two Conservatives’ recommendations to keep the 15-minute free parking scheme and the free hour between 1pm and 2pm, and to first trial the scheme in the south of the borough were all shot down by the committee.
As he thanked the public for coming, Cllr Bell said their participation was an example of democracy in action, which drew loud jeers and laughter from residents.
Once the scheme has been formally signed off by the cabinet, it will come into effect on 1st April.
No news is bad news
Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.
Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.
Monthly direct debit
Annual direct debit
£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.
More information on supporting us monthly or annually
More Information about donations