More than 10,000 households could be eligible for 10 free one-hour parking permits per year from Lewisham Council, but only a small percentage are claiming them.

This comes after Ladywell resident Richard Hebditch asked the council about the take-up of the tickets – free to households with one resident parking permit holder, and those over 60 who receive council tax support – at a full council meeting.

In a response, Lewisham Council said 1,430 books of visitor permits, valued at £10,  had been issued since August last year.

Over the same period, only 30 eligible residents over 60 had claimed their free tickets.

As of September this year, there were 9,223 active residents permits, which means as few as 15 per cent of households eligible for free tickets have applied for them.

In the 12 months from August 2017 take-up was as low as five per cent.

This does not include the over-60s in receipt of council tax support who do not have another parking permit who are eligible.

Mr Hebditch said he was surprised the council had not done more to promote the scheme, in light of the low take-up.

"I've lived in Ladywell for seven years and don't remember ever seeing any information from the council about free permits. Many residents in controlled parking zones are ending paying for something that they should be entitled to for free.

"I'm very surprised that the council's scrutiny processes haven't picked up that the take-up rate is so tiny," he said.

According to Lewisham Council: “Our current policy is that upon application, a book of 10 one-hour visitor parking permits will be provided free of charge to all households that currently have at least one paid-for resident parking permit holder per annum.

“Between August 2017 and July 2018, there were 460 books of visitor permits issued under the above condition. From August 2018 to date (as of 20 September 2018) there were 940 books of visitor permits issued under the above condition.

“Also, upon application, a book of 10 one-hour visitor parking permits will be provided free of charge to any residents in controlled parking zones who are over 60, and in receipt of council tax support, and do not have another parking permit per annum.”

Controlled parking zones cover about 20 per cent of the borough, according to the council.

Parking services brought in £7.8m for Lewisham Council in 2016/17, raising nearly £3.5m in fines alone, according to the council’s latest annual parking report.

A Lewisham Council spokesperson said information about the scheme is available on the Lewisham Council website.