Residents of an estate are pleading for changes to its "absolutely appalling" parking situation, which they claim only offers around 25 spaces for several blocks of flats.

A tow truck is described as circling Lakeside Drive in Park Royal "like a hyena" waiting to prey on cars during restricted times.

A petition signed by 183 residents calling for the removal of single and double yellow lines in the area of has been submitted to Brent Council. Locals want the parking to be made “more friendly” and do not see the benefit of the yellow lines.

The creator of the petition, Aeman Chouiki, claims residents have “had enough”. He doesn’t understand why the whole residential estate is double yellow lined, with the exception of a small number of single yellow line places that have a restriction between 10am and 11am on weekdays. 

Aeman said: “The parking in this area is horrific. It is a development of around seven blocks of flats – each with an average of eight floors – so as you can imagine there are thousands of residents here.

“What benefit does it bring to anyone having double yellow lines on the road throughout the whole development? There isn’t a health and safety benefit, nor does parking on the double yellow obstruct vision, nor does it cause an obstruction or a blockage in any way.”

The petition calls the one hour a day parking restriction “nonsensical” and claims it only benefits the council by being able to "hand out fines".

He added: "To make matters even worse there is a tow truck that circles the development like a hyena waiting to prey on any car and tow them off if they are parked on the single yellow between the restricted hour.”

Council documents state that the main aim of parking restrictions is “not to raise revenue” but to improve road safety and parking facilities for local people, the implementation and management of which incurs “significant costs.”

Drivers caught parking on yellow lines in the borough currently receive fines of up to £130, with a 50 per cent discount if it is paid within 14 days of being issued.

If a vehicle is still there for 30 minutes or more after getting a fine, it could end up being towed. The council states: “Where a serious problem is caused by illegal parking, for example a blocked driveway, or illegal parking is causing a danger, immediate removal may take place.”

The petition, which runs until December 15, calls the parking restrictions a “major inconvenience with no benefit”. It also points to how difficult it is for visitors to park in the area, which it claims badly affects residents that suffer from mental health issues and struggle to have friends and family visit.

Cabinet member for environment, infrastructure, and climate action, Cllr Krupa Sheth, said: “Controlled parking zones are important at managing traffic flow and encouraging sustainable travel, like walking, cycling or public transport. We will certainly consider the contents of the petition and will be responding.”