A RESIDENT’S group has sent an open letter to three ward councillors asking them to stop using free parking permits as residents face a 150 per cent hike in the price of theirs.

The Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents’ Association sent the open letter to Tory Councillors John Marshall, Andrew Harper and Daniel Seal, calling on them to ditch the permits, which allow them to park for free anywhere in the borough.

Thousands of people living in controlled parking zones (CPZs) across the borough have signed a petition calling for the increased fees, which will see visitor’s vouchers rocket from £1 to £4 each, scrapped.

In the letter it states: “If councillors effectively exempt themselves from normal procedures how can they possibly understand the reactions and perceptions of all those other citizens who are subject to them, including residents and visitors to the area?

“Furthermore you may feel, as we do, that appearances are especially important at a time when the public is unusually conscious of the way in which politicians conduct themselves in regards to expenses.”

Gary Shaw, chairman of the association’s road and traffic committee, said if they continued to use them they would be “saying their job is more important than anyone else’s”.

The Hilltop resident of 27 years added: “Everyone is affected by it in some form or another. We were aware of these councillor permits, but recent events have bought them into sharper focus.

“Even people who don’t live in CPSs are going to be affected through the losses of free bays and the increases in visitor permits.

“It has an element of Animal Farm about it, we’re left to suffer while they can park for free.”

But Cllr Seal said he would not be giving up his permit, insisting he only used it on official council business.

He told the Times Series: “I need to be able to go to a meeting with people and not be worried or distracted about moving my car or paying topping up my parking.

“Labour say they don’t take the permits because we are paid a travel element in our allowances, but this is not the case under the new system.

“It’s the most efficient way for us to be able to carry out council business.”

He added: “I appreciate there is a scepticism these permits may be abused, but we were elected by the public and they must trust us not to do that. I’m more than happy to meet in an open forum to discuss any of these issues with the residents.

“I live in an apartment block and so I get free parking, but when I go to do my shopping I always pay my own fees just like anybody else.”