RESIDENTS planning a legal challenge to changes to permit prices in Barnet’s controlled parking zones (CPZ) hope to file legal paperwork by the end of the month.

Lawyer and East Finchley resident David Attfield, launched a campaign against council plans to increase permits from £40 to £60 and visitor parking vouchers from £1 each to £4 each.

Despite vocal objections from people at several meetings the plans were pushed through by Councillor Brian Coleman, the transport boss in the borough and are due to take affect from March 21.

He argues the extra £1.5m likely to be raised is needed to help repair roads affected by bad weather, despite cutting £1.5m from the dedicated budget for those projects next year.

But Mr Attfield said he is confident a judicial review planned over the proposals, which many people say will affect their quality of life, will be a success after getting positive feedback from barristers.

On Wednesday around 50 people attended a meeting over the problems and so far more than £3,000 has been raised to help finance the legal battle.

Mr Attfield told the Times Series: “The meeting was very positive, we have a lot of people willing to help the campaign from across the borough who live in CPZs.

“These plans are so badly thought through and will have a real impact on the quality of life of lots of residents. A tiny percentage of residents are being asked to fix the roads for everyone.

“By increasing the visitor’s permits it will isolate elderly people and even young mothers who rely on people coming to see them, as they cannot afford to pay these prices.”

The group has also launched a website to raise the profile of their cause and anyone wishing to get involved can contact them on barnetcpz@gmail.com.