Commuter car parking is causing a “nightmare” on roads near a busy tube station – and the council has been accused of dragging its feet over permit parking.

Norman Small, who lives in Gilbert Grove, Burnt Oak, says he has been trying to get Barnet Council to put in a controlled parking zone (CPZ) in his street for well over 20 years.

Controlled zones prevent commuter parking by only allowing residents who hold permits to leave their cars in marked-out spaces – and issuing fines for those breaking the rules.

But even though he lives just 0.2 miles away from Burnt Oak Underground Station, Mr Small says he is still waiting for action.

He said: “It is a nightmare. My wife goes to work between 6am and 6.30am, and there are two or three cars waiting to get that space.

“When she gets back, she is driving maybe half a mile away to park.

“The council have said, in a year, we will look at it. A year is no use – we need one now.”

Mr Small said the council had put in a CPZ in nearby Gervase Road and that worsened the problems in Gilbert Grove by pushing even more cars into their street.

He claimed council bosses had drawn up plans for a CPZ several years ago, but residents had voted against them because there would not have been enough spaces for them to park their vehicles in.

Mr Small said the council seemed more willing to put in CPZs in wealthier parts of the borough – even though they are further away from a tube station.

A council spokesperson said: “We welcome Mr Small’s feedback. The Colindale and Burnt Oak CPZs were introduced last year after extensive consultation with residents to address the impact of increasing demand for kerbside parking in the area.

“A review of the CPZs will take place next year, which will consider their impact on nearby roads.”