Controversial parking restrictions on a Watford estate could exclude families from visiting Cassiobury Park, it has been claimed.

John Cox, chairman of the Friends of Cassiobury Park, said restrictions designed to reduce commuter parking on the Cassiobury estate could exclude many people from using the park.

But as the “informal” consultation approaches its conclusion, with all comments to be submitted by Sunday, Councillor George Derbyshire said something must be done to “protect” residents' quality of life.

A lively meeting at Watford Colosseum and two drop-in sessions have been held with residents since the consultation to tackle on-street parking across the estate was launched earlier this month.

The first option would maintain current conditions where tickets are issued to vehicles blocking dropped kerbs or driveways but with no further restrictions, while option two suggests painting double yellow lines within ten metres of road junctions.

The final two options both consider Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ) running from 10.30am to 2.30pm, either from Monday to Friday or Monday to Saturday. This would ensure only residents and their visitors, through a permit scheme, would be allowed to park on the road during the restricted hours.

There would also be a limited number of pay and display bays and some free parking bays with a maximum one hour waiting time.

Mr Cox described the proposals as a “sledgehammer to crack a nut” and suggested parking restrictions on one side of all roads for two hours in the morning and on the other side for two hours in the afternoon.

This “commuter ban”, however, has already been discounted by the council because residents who park in the road would have to move their cars at least once during the day.

Mr Cox said: “I don't like the proposals as a resident but I'm extremely concerned about the proposals and their effects on park users.”

Mr Cox, of Parkside Drive, said the only car park serving Cassiobury Park would also face a “massive burden” if the restrictions were implemented.

He said: “One of the main attractions of the park is many facilities are easily accessible to all and totally free of charge. The car park is already being used by commuters. Because there's parking elsewhere there are spaces available so it would be premature to take any action but there's no question if parking is prevented elsewhere the pressure will be so extreme that commuters will have to be excluded and it will have to be a pay and display.

“In my view they have got it wrong. They are unnecessary and contrary to the interests of park users. In the summer, families come down for the entire day. They don't want that sort of restriction.”

Councillor George Derbyshire, who represents Park ward, said that although it was not clear which scenario would receive the most support, residents did favour parking restrictions.

He said: “People say something has got to be done. Whether the majority of people would like that something to be a full blown CPZ, my impression is that people are moving in that direction.

”Non-residents will be able to use pay and display machines.”

He added it was essential the council moved to “protect” residents before students and teachers from three sites merge together at West Herts College's Hempstead Road campus next September.

Councillor Derbyshire said: “I was in favour of the college development because I think it's a marvellous thing for the future of the young people of Watford. So I'm supportive of the college development but I also recognise the potential impact on the living environment of people living in the Cassiobury estate so it's up to the council to take what action is necessary to protect them.”

The consultation will close on Sunday, before the results are put to Watford Borough Council's Cabinet at their next meeting on Monday, December 14.

If they decide to proceed, a formal consultation will take place in the spring and if the plans are supported, they will be implemented next summer.

Residents, park users and other interested parties are encouraged to have their say at www.watford.gov.uk/askcassiobury.