THE chaos over Chiswick parking permits has continued after residents were told they would have to hand over bank statements in order to get their money back.

The initial problem arose when residents realised they had paid too much for parking permits issued for December. A decision had been made in October to reduce the fee for a single vehicle from £70 to £65 but when permits were purchased in November this discount was not given.

Brian Keeble, of Dukes Avenue, Chiswick, contacted the Times to inform us that while Hounslow Council were offering a £5 refund, a council official had told him that anyone claiming it would need to provide copies of their bank statements to prove they had bought a permit.

He said: "I wonder why to recover this money, we must apply in writing for it and enclose the bank statement from our personal and private account for the transaction?

"It was after all their mistake, they sold us the permit, they already have all of our details from the application form, they even saw our log book and our Community Charge bill, and surely they have bank records - or have they overlooked them too?

"Maybe they would like a DNA sample, just to be sure?"

Mr Keeble was also angry that no apology had been offered: "I wonder why the London Borough of Hounslow can never bring itself to offer one word of apology for any of their transgressions, whether accidental or intentional?"

Fred Robinson, assistant director, Street management, confirmed that an error had been made during the interim period of the charge differences and that this would be rectified.

"Now that the system has been updated, those residents will be given a £5 refund," he said.

Mr Keeble's need for a full apology was almost met as Mr Robinson added: "This is being expedited as quickly as possible, and we apologise for any delay."