Waltham Forest Conservative leader Emma Best says the controlled parking zone policy, introduced to tackle pollution and congestion, only serves to make the council money, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter
New parking fines issued to motorists “should be refunded,” the leader of the Waltham Forest Conservatives says.
Councillor Emma Best, leader of the opposition, has filed a formal complaint with Linzi Roberts-Egan, the chief executive of the Labour-controlled council.
She says the controlled parking zone (CPZ) policy, introduced to tackle pollution and congestion, only serves to make the council money.
CPZs restrict on-street parking during set times in order to prioritise residential parking and reduce the number of cars in an area.
The council has proposed several trial CPZs in the borough, arguing they will “secure expeditious, convenient and safe movement of vehicular and other traffic and the provision of suitable and adequate parking facilities on the highway”.
They were introduced in Waltham Forest alongside its wider mission to cut emissions and improve air quality in the borough, but Cllr Best claims there is a financial motivation.
“The dominant purpose for this scheme was to collect revenue rather than for any climate or health benefits to our residents,” Cllr Best wrote.
“This is why the scheme was pushed ahead regardless of it going against the wishes of 90% of those consulted.”
Council data from December showed its takings had doubled under the scheme.
Between April and October 2024, the council collected £519,000 from pay-to-park bays. Between April and October the following year, it brought in £918,000.
“The council has misled the public and I believe this now makes them liable to refund all enforcement payments or purchased parking sessions,” Cllr Best wrote in her letter, published simultaneously to social media.
She pointed to Croydon Council facing a £10million bill over its low-traffic neighbourhoods – which are different to CPZs – following a High Court ruling that found it had unlawfully introduced the schemes to help bolster its finances rather than for road safety or the environment.
Waltham Forest Council declined to comment.
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