A HERTFORDSHIRE county councillor has spoken out in defence of proposals for a controlled parking zone (CPZ) in Harpenden following protests from angry residents.

County councillor Bernard Lloyd has explained why the council chose to include Sun Lane in the proposal for a CPZ despite not having the support of residents.

During consultation at least half of the houses in each of the 15 roads that could be included had to respond and of those at least 70 per cent had to be in favour before any decision could be made to proceed.

However, only 38 per cent of residents in Sun Lane voted in favour of the CPZ, and yet it is still included in the plans.

Residents blasted this decision as undemocratic and accused the county council of moving the goal posts.

Councillor Lloyd, who represents Harpenden North East, said the plans include Sun Lane because only five houses will be affected and four have alternative vehicle access.

Councillor Lloyd said: "Over 80 per cent of this stretch of road is already being used by commuters.

"The working group took the view that it would be illogical to exclude it from the scheme when commuters in other roads would be required to pay for parking."

If the scheme goes ahead up to 250 car owners in roads near the station will have to pay around £30 a year to park near their homes.

Councillor Lloyd said: "Over the two years this scheme has been under review no-one has put forward a viable alternative.

"The current car parking zone scheme is the only way to provide necessary relief for some of our long-suffering residents."

In January the district council approved the CPZ scheme, but following objections by five Harpenden district councillors the decision was called in and will be re-examined at a meeting on February 18.

The councillors who demanded the review were Teresa Heritage, Bob Wicks, John Chambers, Richard Grenfell Hill and Mayor Paul Foster.

Sun Lane resident Nigel Cartwright said: "I disagree with Councillor Lloyd because their own ruling requiring 70 per cent in favour per street has been reneged upon.

"Sixty two per cent of people in Sun Lane voted against the plans. But to date we have heard nothing from the promised working party, despite the fact the meeting will soon be upon us."