Drivers are fighting the imposition of two controlled parking zones amid fears of rising costs and no guarantee of spaces.

Enfield Council's proposed ‘Palmers Green East’ scheme will be bounded by Green Lanes, Hedge Lane, Hazelwood Lane and the New River, with residents, visitors, and businesses needing permits to park between 8am until 6.30pm.

The Arnos Grove CPZ will expand an existing permit parking scheme north to Waterfall Road and Cannon Hill and south to Station Road, operating from 8am until 7.30pm, Monday to Sunday. 

Resident and visitor permit costs will depend on the size of the vehicle's engine, ranging from £77 to £395. In all-day zones, business permit prices are £920 per year and £230 for three months. 

Judy Lake, who lives in Windsor Road in the proposed Palmers Green East CPZ, said: “There’s no cap in place on permits and there is no cap in revenue, so permit prices could go up, it’s very worrying.” 

Around 100 business owners and residents in Palmers Green gathered at the Fox Lane pub in Green Lanes last week to discuss their concerns.

Kat Georgiou, a member of Green Lanes Business Association, which hosted the meeting, said: “The majority of people were against the proposals. 

“Most people were from inside the proposed CPZ but some from just outside. Those people neighbouring know their streets are going to get the impact of the overflow.” 

She added: “We get why people would want them on the surface, but when you look into the details of it - the cost of them - you’re not guaranteed a parking space. 

“What are you doing to your high street? Where are staff and customers supposed to park during the day or people doing pick-ups and drop-offs?”

Judy said: “Windsor Road, for example, has around 61 buildings and 14 are flats, and one building is a house of multiple occupancy. If you’ve only got 2,000 car spaces but 5,000 cars that now need a space, you’ll create overspill. 

“There’s just not enough road for demand, it’s as simple as that, and if you’re going to implement it, don’t do it for profit.”

Judy said a plan for a similar CPZ was proposed in 2021 but rejected due to unpopularity.

Meanwhile, in Arnos Grove, 1,215 people have signed a petition calling for a reversal of the plans to extend the CPZ. 

Residents described plans to convert free bays to permit bays as “deprivation” and the new permit costs as “soaring”. 

The petition stated the change was happening as a result of “increased residential developments” in the area that failed to “account for parking needs”. 

An Enfield Council spokesperson said both schemes were only at the preliminary consultation stage and encouraged people to share their views.

They said: “The consultations are in response to a longstanding request from residents for additional parking controls in the areas, to help reduce traffic levels and to make it easier to park closer to their homes.

“We would encourage residents to provide us with their views on the Palmers Green East and Arnos Grove controlled parking zone consultations, which close on Friday, September 13. 

“The results of the consultations will be used to help decide on the next steps.”

For more information on the Palmers Green East Controlled Parking Zone consultation and to take part in the survey visit Palmers Green East Controlled Parking Zone | Let’s Talk Enfield

For more information on the Arnos Grove CPZ Preliminary Consultation and to take part in the survey visit Arnos Grove CPZ Preliminary Consultation | Let’s Talk Enfield