Neighbours hoping to stop commuters parking outside their homes urged councillors to back a controlled parking zone (CPZ) for the same reason they would back Brexit.

A consultation showed only a narrow margin of residents supported parking restrictions in Great Bushey Drive and Oak Tree Drive, Totteridge, with 53 responses in favour and 43 against.

But the Chipping Barnet area committee was last night (July 9) told the result had the same legitimacy as the vote to leave the European Union.

Speaking on behalf of those in favour of the CPZ, Oak Tree Drive resident Chris Harding said: “We note that the result [of the consultation] has fallen in favour of the CPZ – ironically, to the same result as the Brexit referendum.

“That referendum being the largest political decision in the country this century, we would expect the CPZ result is upheld in favour of the scheme in a similarly democratic manner.”

CPZs restrict parking to designated bays, with residents having to pay for a permit proving they are eligible to leave their vehicles there.

Mr Harding said residents who wanted the CPZ objected to people coming from as far away as Peterborough to leave their cars in the streets – often for up to a fortnight while they go on holiday.

He said they had no problem with local people occasionally leaving their cars outside their houses.

But according to those opposed to the CPZ, most of properties on the streets have off-street parking facilities, meaning extra restrictions would have little impact.

Concerns were raised that implementing a CPZ would merely displace the problems onto other streets, while the cost of obtaining a parking permit was cited as another a drawback.

Speaking against the proposals, resident Margaret Daniels said: “The recommendation is based solely on an outdated majority. The only perceived benefit is that egress from drives would be improved.”

She added that a CPZ would have a negative impact on residents “who enjoy having afternoon visitors during the week”.

Ms Daniels added: “Residents’ kerbside parking is minimal, since each house has a drive, with a handful taking one car, the majority, two, and several taking three, with very few residents wanting permits for on-street parking.”

Council officers recommended that committee members approve the CPZ, which would cost more than £21,000 to implement.

But committee chairman Cllr Stephen Sowerby said CPZs were divisive by their nature and had only been rolled out in the past when an overwhelming majority of residents had been in favour.

He said: “In terms of the consultation, it suggests the road is pretty much split on this, and it suggests [a CPZ] really isn’t necessary, as most people have private parking.”

The CPZ proposals were voted down by the committee, with five members voting against, one abstention and none in favour.