A petition carrying 600 signatures demanding the return of the scratchcard parking permit system has been handed to Brent Council.

The authority’s move to scrap the £1-a-day scratchcard scheme for visitors’ parking permits in favour of an online automated system has provoked much anger among residents in the borough.

Joel Davidson, one of the petition organisers and a Conservative candidate for Brondesbury Park, said: “As a result of talking to residents extensively over the summer about issues that concern them, we found the number one issue was parking permits.

“Elderly people in particular and people with older people in their families said it was inconvenient to get online.

“And Brent Council’s website frequently crashes which makes the policy even more of a bad idea.”

Mr Davidson, supported by Tory councillors in the borough, leafleted residents and twice held a street stall in Chamberlayne Road, Kensal Rise to gather support for the petition.

He highlighted one respondent opposing the online system was a 100-year-old lady who said she was not computer literate and neither were the people who visited her.

Mr Davidson added: “It’s a very silly system and the scratchcards were much easier and convenient for residents.

“It needed to be administered properly, not just scrapped in a high handed way.

“It’s typical of the way Labour operate in Brent.

“They are clearly not listening to residents and not taking their views on board at all.

“We hope to overturn their decision and reinstate the scratchcards which were easy to use.”

Mr Davidson and fellow Tory candidate John Warren delivered the petition to Brent Civic Centre on Friday.

It was received by Peter Goss, head of democratic services.

Mr Davison said he is awaiting a response to the petition from Brent Council