Plans to introduce a controversial Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in Winchmore Hill have been scrapped following a huge outcry from residents.

The parking plan, intended to prevent commuters clogging up roads near Winchmore Hill railway station, was dropped by Enfield Council leader Michael Rye after he received around 40 letters of protest and a 400-signature petition.

The plan to restrict daytime parking in the area bordered by Broad Walk, Church Hill, Hoppers Road, Vicars Moor Lane and Wades Hill has been two years in the making.

But not all residents were opposed to the scheme, and the council is now facing fierce criticism from some sections of the community who were keen to see the zone introduced.

Compton Road resident Christine North said: "We had thought it was a fait accompli' and we feel we have been sold short.

"Our road is absolutely solid with parked commuters' cars and we have heavy traffic going up and down. Everyone that wanted the CPZ has been overlooked."

The council's head of environment, Cllr Terry Neville, is now looking into ways of reaching a compromise and has instructed council officials to look into alternative ways of tackling the problems of commuter parking and traffic congestion in the area.

One plan under consideration is the introduction of parking fees for a few hours in the middle of the day to deter commuter parking.

He said: "We cannot please all the people all of the time and we will be disappointing some people, but I hope the residents will understand.

"We will look at the issues residents are facing and see if we can come up with something else which is not a CPZ. We are not just saying this it will happen."