Dozens of street parties are expected this summer after the council backtracked over its “profiteering” road closure fees.

The price for holding this year's Big Lunch event is expected to be just £75 per road, compared to the hefty £208 last summer – which came to £1,250 between six roads.

Residents accused the council of making a profit after it could only explain 20 per cent of the cost, and after a front page story in the Wandsworth Guardian, councillors conducted a review.

Jo White, 39, of Fernside Road, said: “We were just going to shut the street ourselves this year, but there were people who were worrying about getting arrested.

“Now we can have the official signs up, so my neighbours will be really relieved when I tell them.

“It's really positive news, and it's a triumph of resident power over the bureaucracy of the council.”

The news follows an election manifesto pledge by the Wandsworth Conservatives promising to "make it simpler for groups of residents to organise street parties and other local self-help events".

The proposed price will be confirmed when the council meet on June 1.

The Big Lunch, a national street party event designed by the Eden Project to encourage good neighbourliness, will be held on Sunday, July 18.

Council leader Edward Lister said this week: "The council will be keeping the costs down so that as many streets as possible can take part.

"If you would like to set up tables in the middle of your street and not have cars driving up and down while you enjoy your party, we can help with making those arrangements."

Last year, the council originally planned to charge £1,250 per road, at a total cost £7,500, but agreed to spread the cost after intervention from MP Sadiq Khan.

He said: "Last year's Big Lunch was fantastic, so this will come as welcome news for the hundreds for the hundreds of residents I know are planning their own street parties this year."

Those hoping to close their road should notify police and call the town hall on 020 8871 6708 to apply by Friday, June 18.