Harrow Council has been accused of being “high-handed” and “ignoring” residents’ concerns over proposed parking changes in a residential street.

Cllr Marilyn Ashton, deputy leader of Harrow Conservatives, criticised the decision to introduce double-yellow lines in Eaton Close, Stanmore, without further alterations.

She explained that those living there want to be given a controlled parking zone (CPZ) so they still have somewhere to put their cars.

The double-yellow regulations will come into effect in October following concerns over access for emergency and council vehicles.

But Cllr Ashton, who represents the Stanmore Park ward, believes that the thoughts of those who use the road every day have been cast aside.

All 48 people living in Eaton Close signed a petition, handed in to the council, which called for a CPZ.

“It’s not that the council are wrong on this – it is a narrow road. But it’s the way they are dealing with it,” Cllr Ashton said.

“They’ve not looked at joined-up thinking and working with people, they’ve adopted a one-size-fits-all policy, which just doesn’t work.

“The way they’ve treated the residents is absolutely dreadful; it’s totally high-handed.

“They need to realise that these people are customers, and they deserve a bit more respect.”

Cllr Varsha Parmar, responsible for the environment at Harrow Council, said safety was the priority when assessing the proposed changes.

She said: “We understand the concerns raised by residents on Eaton Close and have considered their petition, however safety comes first.

“Double yellow lines to one side of this road means emergency services and council bin lorries can access the end of the road without any obstructions.”

The council added that the petition will be noted by the traffic and road safety advisory panel and will be prioritised in the annual parking review report in February.

But residents are insisting that they are given assurance over the introduction of a CPZ before the double-lines are put down.

Simone Simon, who lives in Eaton Close, said: “If they just introduce double-yellow lines, we’re in deep trouble.

“We’ll have nowhere to go, which is why we need a resident parking scheme.

“That seems, to me, to be the most logical and rational solution, but it’s as if they don’t want to listen to us as a street and community.”