On Friday (10.09.21) residents of Dagenham Village met with Jon Cruddas MP on Church Street to accept a petition against the Controlled Parking Zone due to be introduced to the area imminently. Despite the majority of residents voting against the scheme, the council are planning to push through the CPZ for access purposes based on advice from the London Fire Brigade.
Petitioning residents have resoundingly rejected this argument explaining "It only seems to matter if a fire engine can get to us between 08.30 and 17.30 Monday to Saturday. If there is a fire in the evening or on a Sunday, the emergency access is of no consequence at all." Concerns have also been raised regarding the expansion of the shopping parade free permit system, whereby local people still have to register for their 30 minutes free by phone or risk getting a ticket.
Jon Cruddas MP said: "It was good to meet with residents to discuss the issue face to face having received hundreds of emails and phone calls about the CPZ in recent weeks. There is clearly a strength of feeling in the community that the council aren't listening.
"I will be including this petition with the results of my independent consultation and will raise the concerns of local people with the Chief Executive, and Leader of the Council, when I meet with them in the coming weeks."