Thousands of people have signed a petition opposing charges to visitor parking permits that could more than treble the cost of a day's stay.

Haringey Council is currently consulting on proposed parking policy changes would replace daily visitor permits with hourly permits. 

Householders in some parts of the borough fear they will have to pay up to £17 per day for a visitor when previously it cost £5. The hourly rate for visitors is £1.20.

Almost 3,500 people have now signed a petition to stop the plan.

Tom Leanse, who started the petition, wrote: “In any controlled parking zone which is operational more than four hours a day, the proposals will make it more expensive to buy a day’s parking for a visitor. 

“The longer the hours of operation, the greater that increase in expense will be.”

Anna McConnell added: “Removing daily permits doubles the cost of having visitors at your home – doubling the cost of parking makes childcare, care of parents, home maintenance etc. much more expensive, during a cost of living crisis.”

According to the council, the aim of the policy is to stop the “misuse” of the permits, which it says are being sold to commuters for a profit, turning residential streets into “car parks”.

But some have questioned the evidence and instead claim the move was financially motivated.

In response, Seema Chandwani, cabinet member for resident services and tackling inequality, urged residents to participate in the consultation and added that “no decision” had been made. 

Cllr Chandwani said: “Our residents and businesses have been instrumental in helping to develop our parking strategy, which aims to address the challenges of parking in a densely populated borough.

“I would strongly urge residents and businesses to continue their involvement in this collaborative exercise by responding to the statutory consultation in accordance with the advice given on the council’s website and therefore have their say on any future changes to our parking policy. 

“This consultation will help determine whether these proposed policies will meet the needs of the community and enhance parking accessibility in Haringey.”

Residents can comment on the proposals by email or post until Wednesday, November 20.

For more information or to take part in the consultation visit https://new.haringey.gov.uk/parking/consultations-parking/have-your-say-our-proposed-parking-policy-changes.