A woman has criticised the extension of a controlled parking zone (CPZ) near her home, arguing that it will punish those who rely on regular visitors.

Audrey Alpe, 85, believes the new Wealdstone CPZ along the roads near Harrow Leisure Centre has “gone too far”.

The new zone J regulations imposed by Harrow Council mean parking permits will be required from 7am until midnight from Monday to Sunday.

The council insists that the decision follows a clear demand from those living there and will help protect them from any increase to the number of cars and people in the area.

But Ms Alpe described the changes as “ridiculous” and said it was “an absolute disgrace” that people will only be allowed to park for free in the early hours of each morning.

“I’ve written to the council and my MP to protest against these stupid rules,” she said.

“I don’t understand why they couldn’t keep it at 10am to 11am and then maybe add in 5pm ‘til midnight. Or, at the very least, make it five days as opposed to seven.”

She is the second person to vocally oppose the CPZ after Hitesh Pabari, of Lorne Road, compared the new laws to those implemented in Oxford Street.

Ms Alpe’s main grievance lies with the fact that people who relied on certain services, particularly older people, will now have to shell out for visitor passes.

"I can’t ask a gardener or a cleaner to come and park here anymore, and I rely on them now,” she explained.

“Then there are people who need nurses or carers every day of the week. And now I can’t even invite someone in for a cup of tea – even at the weekend.”

The council explained that it has carried out two consultations and said there was an “overwhelmingly” positive response to the proposal on both occasions.

There is also a 50 per cent discount for senior citizens on visitor passes, which normally cost £18.50 for a book of ten.

Cllr Graham Henson, leader of Harrow Council, wrote back to Ms Alpe, who explained that he has passed her query onto the council’s transport team for a full response.