Changes to Wanstead permit parking scheme will be considered

Alistair Kleebauer, Senior reporter Tuesday, July 24, 2012
11:30 AM

Options to alter a Wanstead permit parking scheme will be considered by councillors after hearing the views of residents and businesses last night.

A trial of permit parking for residents was introduced in Addison Road, Chaucer Road, Dangan Road and Spratt Hall Road in April in a bid to end commuter parking.

But after concerns were raised, including by local businesses such as The Bungalow Café in Spratt Hall Road about the impact on trade, area one committee members had agreed to bring forward a one-year review.

At their meeting in Wanstead Church School in Church Path, Phil Cornley, of Spratt Hall Road, praised the scheme.

He said: “It’s been great.

“I’m very supportive of local business.

“It’s the commuters who are causing the problem. We need a solution that stops them.”

Stavros Nicola, the owner of The Bungalow Café, said: “My takings are down about 15 per cent.

“I don’t expect the council to harm my business.”

He handed in a petition signed by 559 people, 170 of whom he said were from the local area, requesting a “sensible change” to the parking restrictions.

Igor Bekaert, the owner of the Belgique patisserie in Cambridge Park, also raised concerns at the last area committee meeting.

But Frank Skuse, of Spratt Hall Road, said “terrible weather” and the recession could have caused a downturn in business in the area.

Cllr Michelle Dunn said: “I think the scheme is working well.

“There could be room at either end of Spratt Hall Road to introduce something for businesses and that needs to be looked at.”

Members asked for further details from council officers of how triple use bays, which could be used by residents, business patrons and for pay and display parking, could be introduced on the east side of Spratt Hall Road.

Subject to further consultation, members also agreed to introduce two small areas of permit parking in Wanstead Place and a small number of business permits could be introduced in the Grove Park car park.

They rejected reverting to a one-hour ban on the east side of Spratt Hall Road.