Nearly 70 per cent of residents polled believe car parking charges should be scrapped in all of the borough’s parks.

Following the announcement that charges would no longer apply at Seven Kings and Goodmayes parks, due to the sites not making enough money to cover costs, the Recorder asked readers for their views.

Of those who took part, 69pc believed it would be only fair to scrap charges for all the parks, but 30 pc disagreed, saying the money was needed for other things.

Just 1pc said they had no opinion on the issue.

Seven Kings Park generated an income of £1,069.25 in the year 2013-14, while Goodmayes Park made just £392.55.

This does not cover the costs of maintaining machines and enforcing parking restrictions.

Cllr Wes Streeting, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Allowing free parking at all our parks may be a vote winner, but it would be a bad policy.

“Cancelling all charges would leave less money available for the upkeep of our parks and I have no doubt that some car parks - particularly those near tube stations or residential areas - would be hijacked by commuters and others at the expense of people actually wanting to visit our parks.”