An online petition has been launched calling for Brent Council to abandon its plans to hike up parking charges by 200 per cent.

More than 200 supporters have signed “Stop tripling of Brent Parking Charges” set up two weeks ago by the borough’s Liberal Democrat Party.

Earlier this month, Brent Council gave the green light to hiking up visitor daily parking charges which will come into effect in April next year.

Fees will increase from £1.50 to £4.50 in Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) which cover more than half the borough.

In addition, the annual visitor permit will rise by 50 per cent from £110 to £165.

Claiming the charges are being increased to stamp put commuter parking, Cllr Eleanor Southwood, Brent’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “Too many residents and their visitors are still crowded out by commuters.

“That’s why we’re taking this balanced approach to pricing, whilst still cracking down on commuters using our residential streets as a giant car park.”

The petition urges council members to abandon their plans. It reads: “This will add a significant cost to the households of many residents in one of the most deprived boroughs in London where budgets are already tight. Those who are dependent on daily care visits will be hit hard and many other residents will find it more difficult to have family and friends visit them.”

Alison Hopkins, former Liberal Democrat councillor for Dollis Hill, said: “It’s outrageous. What they are doing is penalising people with family visitors, carer visitors, tradesmen visitors. People who live down in Kensal, Harlesden or Stonebridge are not necessarily well off and £1.50 to £4.50 is simply outrageous. Where does it stop? To me it’s just another stealth tax.”

To sign the petition visit here.