News

‘Epidemic’ of illegal spray painting of parking signs in Newham

Residents harmed by parking signs being obscured, reports Jean Gray

parking ristriction signs with black spray paint obscuring them
Image: Matt Seymour/unsplash

There is an ‘epidemic’ of parking signs being vandalised and information about restrictions being blacked out throughout the Borough, Newham Voices has been told. 

A concerned resident, who did not wish to be named, said he had contacted the Council on a number of occasions but was told that there is an ‘epidemic’ across Newham. 

He said: “We believe there may be local businesses who are spray painting parking signs so that the restrictions do not apply. Residents pay a lot for parking permits and we now find that we don’t have anywhere to park.” 

A Newham Council spokesperson said: “This is a criminal act of vandalism of public property and the Council will work with the police to secure prosecutions against anyone identified as responsible. Our officers will act swiftly to rectify the damage. “

The residential parking zones (RPZs) are for the benefit of the people who live in these streets. They are paid for by local people to ensure they are able to park their vehicles close to home. This vandalism could mean residents are unable to park, so the vandals are depriving local people of a service they pay for.” 

Similar action has been reported by other boroughs around London. In some areas, residents have taken their own action to try to enforce the regulations, by putting up their own signs or painting lines on the road outside their homes.


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