BUNGLING council officials have stopped the increase in parking charges across Barnet after printing the wrong prices in official adverts.

From Monday people living in controlled parking zones (CPZs) were set to be charged £100 for their first permit, instead of £40, and £4 per visitor voucher, up from £1.

But residents in East Finchley launching a judicial review against the council say errors in the statutory notices, which said a first resident permit currently cost £42, made them invalid.

In the adverts the council states visitor permits also cost £1.20, instead of £1.

By law the council has to advertise changes to parking in car parks and a local paper at least three weeks before bringing in the changes.

Yesterday David Attfield, a lawyer launching the judicial review, wrote to the council to point out the errors and ask them to re-advertise the plans, meaning they will be delayed by at least three weeks.

He said: “council lawyers have told me they are going to re-advertise and so it’s round one to us. They have done the decent thing and acknowledged they made a mistake.

“It’s good news as it gives people effectively an extra 28 days to stock up on visitor vouchers and anyone needing to renew their permits will be able to do it at a much cheaper price.

“It’s a gaff and it’s incompetence over a controversial policy.”

The error could cost the council, which insists the increases are necessary to help mend roads, thousands in lost revenue.

At a council meeting earlier this year Councillor Brian Coleman, who is in charge of the parking department, told astonished residents he “never knowingly undercharges”

Barnet Council said they were seeking legal advice over the matter.