Neighbours are calling on the people in their area to oppose the introduction of controlled parking zones near their homes.

Barnet Council are currently consulting on the introduction of controlled parking zones across five residential areas in Colindale, with the consultation having opened at the end of September, which they believe will bring fairer distribution of parking spaces, fewer vehicles in residential areas and reduced traffic congestion and pollution.

But critics are concerned there has not been significant enough consultation on this issue and that for many families who live in the area, the price of paying for multiple cars will be too much of a strain.

One David Beere, 66, who has lived in Colin Crescent for 28 years, is also concerned that the claim that bringing in the new zones is to "protect" his road from overflow parking from a new development does not cut the mustard.

He said: "Most people had been told nothing of these plans and yet they were approved by the planning committee in July 2015. Dates on the maps are May 2017 and yet only now do we hear anything.

"Barnet Council should extend the consultation period and allow a public meeting.

"The council has claimed there is enough car parking on the development but then contradict themselves by saying that we should be protected from overflow car parking by Redrow residents. Barnet has not made the case for this at all."

The price per car in the higher band would be £85, plus £10 surcharge for an additional car, meaning a family with two cars would pay £180 annually for two cars, though for cars which are in the lower band, thus gives off the least in CO2 emissions, there is no cost for a parking permit bar a potential £10 surcharge for a diesel car.

But residents feel their roads are fairly empty in the daytimes, thus and if there was no new underpass being built, their roads would be unattractive to those living in the new development, nullifying the requirement for "protection" from controlled parking zones.

A Barnet Council spokesman said the statutory requirements for consultations of this type are for it to be open by for three weeks, but decided to make sure households affected by this have ample time to be consulted open, and thus opened the consultation for four weeks.

They also said all households in these areas received a letter notifying them and a copy of the consultation document more than three weeks before the closing date.

The spokesman said: "The consultation makes it clear that it takes in the entire area of Colindale, and some surrounding areas, with the start and end dates provided online, on the front cover of the consultation document, and on the hard copy questionnaires.

"The questionnaire can either be completed online or posted to anyone who would like a hard copy, with detailed maps available to anyone taking part. Drop-in sessions are also available to all interested parties."

Mr Beere is calling for residents to oppose the consultation, which is open until October 27 with feedback due to be released in February next year.

To put your views across, visit https://engage.barnet.gov.uk/colindale-cpz-consultation