A lack of parking spaces in the borough will lead to increased congestion, parking problems and more controlled parking zones (CPZs), according to a councillor.

Council figures from May 1, 2006, to January 1, 2008, indicate a shortfall of 427 spaces in relation to the number of residential units being built.

Councillor Tony Arbour said: "This will increase the pressure for on-street parking and lead to the imposition of even more CPZs. It will not reduce the use of the car."

According to the figures, 60 residential buildings were built in East Sheen during this time along with 10 parking spaces.

Coun Arbour believes developers should be made to provide sufficient off-street parking with every project.

Transport spokesman Coun Martin Seymour predicts a failure to do so will result in more cars on the road.

However, the claims have been rubbished by the council, which insists it is providing the maximum amount of car parking allowed by the unitary development plan.

Cabinet member for planning Coun Martin Elengorn said that there had to be a balance and the council was helping achieve this by ensuring an emphasis on less car parking provisions in town centres.

He added: "We cannot cover the whole borough in car parking spaces. If we provided as much as is needed people would buy cars to fill them."

Cabinet member for parking Coun David Trigg is conscious of the environmental impact had by drivers and hit back at the suggestion that more CPZs would result in an income increase for the council.

He said: "The CPZ programme is designed to be revenue neutral and also to encourage the use of lower emission vehicles. We are also working to introduce car clubs.

"The implementation of car-free developments is to encourage the use of sustainable and healthy transport alternatives - walking, cycling and public transport."