A RIFT is bubbling up between opposing groups after a plan for restricted parking in the leafy streets surrounding an historic house was launched.


A consultation for a controlled parking zone (CPZ) in Park Road and Staveley Road has been given the go-ahead by Labour Councillor Ed Mayne following the introduction of parking charges in the Chiswick House and Gardens Trust car park.


Angry residents supporting the consultation are in favour of a CPZ as they claim that parking on these two roads is already unbearable and charging in the car park will force commuters to park on the roads causing even more blockage.


However, opposition group, the Grove Park Group, are arguing that there is no problem with commuters parking in the car park and a CPZ would cause displacement into surrounding roads as well as yellow lines and signs causing an eye-sore.


Chairman of the Grove Park Group, Andy Murray said: "This is a conservation area and we do not want unsightly yellow lines and traffic wardens roaming around trying to reach fining targets.


"We also have photographic evidence showing that the Chiswick House car park is not overflowing with cars so the need for parking charges due to masses of commuters appears to be an excuse."


Others feel very differently. Jan Shawe, of Park Road, said: "The amount of cars on our road is actually dangerous, you have to creep out of your drive and still cannot see if another vehicle is coming.


"Kids whose parents do not even live on these roads, come home from university and leave their cars here for over a month, blocking up the road and never moving them because they do not have to pay, it's a nightmare.


"A CPZ will make life much safer and I think Ed Mayne is correct to have a consultation."


Allan Cheesman,  who lives in Park Road, said that the road has become a free-parking mecca which has made living there unbearable. 


Dan Murphy believes otherwise. He said: "It is a spurious claim that Chiswick House car park is overrun by commuters.


"Someone has invented this because they realised that if they could show the charges would result in the displacement of vehicles into neighbouring streets then they could argue for a 'consultation' on a CPZ.


"It could be argued that a CPZ in Park and Staveley Roads will then displace more cars into other streets resulting in a CPZ for the whole of Grove Park so the council can rake in another two million pounds or so each year."


Cllr Mayne said: "It is only fair that these roads are consulted on the impact of charges being implemented in the car park and I would like to emphasise the consultation would not exceed s500 and would be funded by the TfL grant."


An Overview and Scrutiny meeting is to be held at the Civic Centre next Monday (3) at 7pm after 10 other councillors criticised Cllr Mayne's decision to undertake a non-statutory consultation.