'Premium' permits to be issued which allow holder to park in any CPZ

Residents who've opted to pay for a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) to ease local parking pressures may lose spaces to drivers from outside the borough.

From April this year Ealing Council is introducing a new 'Premium Permit' which can be bought for £1,500 allowing drivers to park in any residents' permit holder parking space for a maximum of 3 hours.

Anyone can buy the permits but the council say they expect interest from businesses that may need to visit several areas and stay for more than an hour - such as estate agents and doctors.

Councillors had originally agreed to the new permits for use in pay and display areas - but officers decided to include residential CPZs with a maximum of 25 being issues 'at any one time' which could bring in £37,500 to the council coffers.

The inclusion of CPZ's in the new permit has caused alarm with many residents unaware of the change.

Ealing Common Conservative Councillor, Joanna Dabrowska, has put written questions to the council about the new permits and says: ''My serious concern is that the traffic order doesn't restrict the volume of such permits being issued thus making London Borough of Ealing a possible public car park for large businesses permit holders at £6/day - Full day.''

Ealing Council say notice about the parking changes was published in Ealing Gazette on 16 January 2015 giving three weeks for any objections or representations by 6 February.

Local resident Richard Chilton said he was concerned about the notice and has written to the council. He says: '' I think the problem will get worse as Ealing Council imposes car free rules on more new developments. It has been common for planning permission to be granted on condition that the new residents can't buy residents parking permits. The premium permits may be expensive, but they are quite cheap in relation to the prices of homes in many new developments. These new permits may then become a way round the restrictions. It is easy to see the residents in the planned Ealing Filmworks development buying the permits and then filling up all the pay and display spaces in Mattock Lane. This would have knock-on effects to other potential users of these parking spaces. "

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport and environment, said: "Premium permits have been introduced in response to requests from businesses and organisations that require a longer stay in CPZ zones, such as GPs who make a number of house calls.

"The fact that only 25 permits will ever be issued at any one time, their cost, and the three-hour parking limit means that they are highly unlikely to have an adverse effect on people living in CPZs as cheaper options are available for commuter parking. However, we will be monitoring their use carefully."

25th February 2015