​A unified petition against the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) and parking permits on Valence Avenue would present a compelling case to the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD) council. Residents are experiencing significant negative impacts, from financial burdens to a deterioration in the quality of life. The implementation of the CPZ has created an untenable situation where paid-for parking permits do not guarantee a space, and enforcement appears to be legally questionable. This petition aims to demonstrate a united front against the current parking scheme and advocate for its immediate reform or removal.

​The Impact of Parking Permits on Residents
​The introduction of the CPZ on Valence Avenue has created a parking crisis where none existed for almost two decades. For 19 years, residents and visitors could park without issue, but since the enforcement began, the situation has become chaotic. Despite paying for permits, residents are now struggling to find a legal parking spot on their own street. The new scheme, which involved adding then removing bays from the pavements and placing them in the road, has drastically reduced the number of available spaces. This has left many people who have paid for their permits with no choice but to park on the pavements, as they did before, leading to an increasing number of fines.

​Reports from other parts of Barking and Dagenham highlight a similar pattern of resistance to CPZs. Residents in Dagenham Village, Becontree, and Chadwell Heath have also launched petitions against the schemes, citing concerns about access for emergency services, the financial burden of permits and fines, and the potential negative impact on local businesses. In some cases, residents feel that the council's consultations were misleading or that their objections were not adequately addressed, with some opposition rates as high as 80% among those who responded to consultations.

​Legal Issues with Enforcement and Signage
​There are serious legal questions regarding the issuing of fines on Valence Avenue. The signage for the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) clearly states the enforcement times are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. However, residents with valid permits have reported receiving Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) outside of these hours and on weekends. This practice is legally dubious, as parking restrictions must be clearly and accurately signed. According to UK law, parking enforcement on public roads is governed by the Traffic Management Act 2004, which requires clear signage to be in place.  If the sign indicates that the restrictions only apply during specific hours, enforcement officers cannot legally issue a PCN outside of those hours. Furthermore, residents are being fined for parking on the extra-wide pavements where there are no signs prohibiting it. The council's decision to remove the marked bays from the pavements and relocate them to the road without a corresponding clear "no parking on pavement" sign for the areas where bays once existed adds to the confusion and makes these fines potentially invalid.

​The Financial Burden on Residents
​The current parking scheme has created a significant financial burden on residents and local businesses. Residents are not only paying for permits but are also being hit with fines, even when they have done everything they can to comply. This double taxation is unacceptable. Businesses are also negatively affected, as customers and delivery drivers are deterred by the lack of available parking and the threat of fines. The additional costs and stress are a direct result of a flawed and poorly implemented scheme. The council's argument that the CPZs are for "road safety" and "improving traffic flow" rings hollow when the implementation has led to more frustration and a less accessible community.

Join me to put a stop to this unfair nonsense and sign the petition today.