EALING Council has introduced a parking scheme despite objections from a residents association.

The scheme came into operation on Friday last week along the extension of Warwick Road and Ealing Common, and is designed to get rid of commuter parking and mobile homes left on the road.

But chairman of Ascott Avenue Residents’ Association, Ian Richardson, said that although they have been asking for restrictions on that road for years, the council scheme is not what the group wants.

He said that last November’s Ealing Common ward forum unanimously rejected the scheme because there are too many cheap all-day parking bays.

The association wants parking times limited to stop commuters clogging the road and freeing it up for short-term day time parking, such as those using the common.

However, the council has introduced a total of 124 bays from The Grange junction eastwards. Two are for disabled drivers and available 24 hours, seven days a week.

Twenty-eight free parking bays have a time limit of three hours from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and there are 94 all-day bays.

Those 94 bays are on a pay-by-phone system at a flat rate of £2 and 20p administration from Monday to Friday, 7am-7pm.

Mr Richardson criticised the method of payment as restrictive but the council believes pay-by-phone parking is more efficient and reduces vandalism and theft.

He called on the council to scrap its plans, accusing it of ignoring the petition to the council and consult again, properly.

He said: "There have been quite a few people bringing their caravans and just dumping them there and leaving rubbish around. All-day parking will also attract more crime because criminals know that people leave their cars there."

Ealing Common ward councillors have also voiced concerns about the scheme.

Councillor Jon Ball said: "It’s outrageous that the council has ignored the views of residents and local councillors and pushed through their parking bay plan. Single yellow lines in operation a couple of hours a day would solve the problems of commuter parking and caravans while allowing residents to park free in order to enjoy the common."

Fellow ward councillor Roz Reece, said it is sad that, despite not one but two petitions championing a single yellow line enforced twice daily, the council has ignored residents and installed 94 bays, which will not deter all day commuters.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, leader for transport and environment, said: “Our solution has created a mix of bays, including 28 spaces that will be free for up to three hours that can be used by people visiting the
common. The rest will be pay-by-phone spaces for people who wish to park longer. Caravans and mobile homes will not be able to fit in the bays.”