Islington Council has quashed demands to extend its controversial controlled parking zone (CPZ) consultation.

By holding the consultation in the summer months, the Labour-controlled authority has been accused of trying to push through its plans for charged parking to be extended to seven days a week in the borough – and even 24 hours a day in some areas.

The idea has been hugely unpopular with businesses who believe they would be harmed by decreased footfall. Petitions have been launched by groups such as Islington Chamber of Commerce and Highbury traders.

The council’s consultation launched on July 6 and will end next Monday (September 7). Islington’s Liberal Democrat group has demanded that the council extend this deadline after claiming residents had not received leaflets, literature arrived late and that the consultation was being held during school and summer holidays.

It also demanded a new version of the leaflet, calling it “severely misleading, confusing and flawed”.

But asked if any changes will be made or the deadline extended, the council reiterated the current deadline still stands.

Cllr Claudia Webbe, executive member for environment and transport, said: “We want to hear from everyone who has an interest or may be affected.

“This is one of our longest consultations. It has run for nine weeks, much longer than most.

“We have used a wide range of advertising and marketing tools to reach out to all, including publicising in the local media and featuring in our borough magazine. We have twice leafleted zones where specific changes are proposed, and we also have door-knocking teams in areas where response rates have been relatively low.

“There is still plenty of time to comment and we welcome all views. We need to balance the parking needs of residents with the needs of local businesses.”

Businesswoman Pam Petais, 60, of Freegrove Road, Holloway, was unimpressed: “The fact that they won’t extend, even by a couple of weeks, is our pain and their gain. If you want to push something through, you choose a time where you don’t get a big response.”

To view the consultation, visit islington.gov.uk and follow “get involved”.