Campaigners are calling on Ealing Council to rethink introducing two large Controlled Parking Zones [CPZ] in Greenford.

They say the plans to create a regulated parking area in South Greenford and Greenford Town Centre will have a detrimental effect on vulnerable people.

A public consultation on the proposals closed on Tuesday, 5 December with Ealing Council saying the CPZs will relieve parking pressure and improve local traffic conditions whilst prioritising space for residents, businesses and visitors.

However, many residents likely to be affected by this are calling on the council to rethink their plans, citing the effect on vulnerable residents.

They believe that elderly and low income residents will find themselves out of pocket – labelling the plans a 'stealth tax'.

Rupinder Sehmi, a campaigner against the CPZ proposals, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service [LDRS] that the consultation was undemocratic.

She said: "The consultation didn't give residents an opportunity to say they don't want a CPZ. Instead it just asked what time we'd like the CPZ to be in force.

"We were robbed of having a choice. You're being told this is happening, so when do you want it? It didn't feel like a proper consultation."

The cost of a residential parking permit in Ealing is calculated based on engine emissions.

If introduced, Greenford residents in these areas could face annual charges of up to £225 per year for one car.

Campaigners gathered outside Percival House on 10 December to demonstrate their opposition to the proposals and dissatisfaction with the handling of the consultation process.

Ealing Council say the CPZs in Greenford would help reduce congestion and air polluition (credit: Rupinder Sehmi).

Retired gardener Bobby Riley told the LDRS that if introduced these plans will have an effect on himself and his family, as his sister who is disabled would have to park a long distance away from his house when she visits due to the cost.

He added: "The financial burden is going to increase on us significantly.

"Because the winter fuel allowance is gone, which is already £300 disappeared, and energy bills and tax going up, we're already struggling, and this is just going to make it worse.

"I'm worried people are going to have to take up their lovely gardens and put a driveway down because they can't afford to park."

Opposition parties are also voicing their concerns about the process, calling it 'unfair and biased'.

Councillor Connie Hersc said: "Ealing Liberal Democrats believe that this consultation is unfair and biased. We would like to see it rerun with all the options fairly laid out including leaving the hours as they are, rather than the skewed preference to extending the hours."

"Ealing Labour are expecting Ealing residents to carry the burden unfairly of revenue raising for the borough – this is underhand but it is what I have come to expect from Ealing Labour."

An Ealing Council spokesperson said: "Ealing Council is proposing two new Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs), one in Greenford Town Centre and one in Greenford South to more effectively prioritise resident parking and address high parking demand.

"The engagement process invited residents to provide their comments and opinions on this proposal – including hours of operations.

"The council hopes that by adding two new CPZs in Greenford it will help reduce the negative impact of congestion and air pollution by encouraging more people to walk, cycle or use public transport, when possible, when travelling around the borough.

"CPZs prioritise parking for local residents, making it easier for people to park near their homes, particularly benefiting older residents, those with mobility challenges, and their carers ensuring spaces are not dominated by non-resident vehicles, which reduces parking availability for those who need it most.

"The improved visibility of CPZs contributes to safer streets for pedestrians, particularly those who are more vulnerable, such as older adults and individuals using mobility aids.

"Thirty per cent of car journeys within the borough cover less than 1.2 miles (2km), and the council is asking the community to work with them to make small changes to their travel choices for short journeys to make the borough a cleaner, greener and healthier place to live."

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