Estate agents' minis are driving folk round the bend in Balham with residents saying they are unable to park because of the sheer number of them.

The cars, which mainly belong to employees from the Foxtons group, are often parked in the side streets behind the agents' offices in Balham High Road, restricting the number of spaces available for residents.

Peter Truman, who lives in Balham High Road and has a permit to park in the nearby side streets, said that most days when returning from work he has to drive around for "a good 10 minutes" before he can find a space.

"Living on a red route means I'm forced to go into the neighbouring back streets and so it's even more infuriating if those spaces are taken by Foxtons cars.

"They clearly are not residents else they would have residents permits, instead they leave them there once the restrictions end and take up space that should be for residents," he said angrily.

Mr Truman said the situation is worse for those living on the side streets as they have to contend both with those who live on the High Road using their streets as well as the minis. And the names of the cars, for example Tooting Treasure and Balham Beauty, he said, makes the situation even more infuriating.

"It's more like Tooting Terror and Balham Bandit. I've seen up to ten minis before down one road and I've been forced to drive much further away to park, adding to carbon emissions."

He added: "It drives me mad going up and down the road looking for a space when I have paid for a permit, only to see those hideously coloured minis taking all the spaces."

Tom Yeomanson, manager of Foxtons Balham, said: "We make every effort to ensure no more than four minis are parked in any one road but sometimes this simply is not possible. We pay at the meters as would any other driver, and in the evenings most of our staff drive home so it is very rare that cars would be in the area after 8pm when our office closes."

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