LEYTONSTONE: Traders fear CPZ will hurt businesses (From This Is Local London)

LEYTONSTONE: Traders fear CPZ will hurt businesses

8:34am Friday 2nd January 2009 in

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Concerned traders fear that the introduction of increased parking restrictions will be the nail in the coffin for their businesses.

The council is considering implementing a controlled parking zone (CPZ) in streets off Leytonstone High Road in the Thatched House area because it claims residents have asked for it.

The move would mean shoppers without a residents' parking permit would not be able to park.

Many shops have closed in recent years further north along High Road, and opposition councillors have claimed the council's traffic and parking policies have been to blame.

But the southern end of the High Road has so far remained a thriving area. Traders fear that if shoppers are deterred from parking nearby, their businesses will suffer.

Gurcharan Sohanpal, 58, the owner of Grande Auto Spares in High Road, is worried about the effect the CPZ could have on his business.

Mr Sohanpal said: "The CPZ will make it very difficult for me. I may have to relocate or close. It could be the final nail in the coffin," he said.

Noorani Maderbous, 47, the manager of Super Drycleaners, in High Road, is also concerned.

He said: "If I am not making a profit and am working long hours for no money I will consider closing. I have been trading for the past three years and this is the worst I have known it."

Resident Denise Carryl, of Trumpington Road, Leytonstone, said: "I am against CPZs. I used to live in upper Leytonstone and really believe that it led to the demise of businesses.

"It also leads to more problems with parking in surrounding streets, so eventually all the streets will have to have it. It is good news for the council's purse but not our own."

Cann Hall ward councillor Keith Rayner said the CPZ is being considered because similar restrictions in neighbouring Newham are forcing construction workers on the Olympic site and commuters to park in Waltham Forest.

"I have had speed cushions along Cann Hall Road for the last three years to combat traffic coming into our borough from Newham. I want to protect the streets of south Leytonstone for the residents," he said.

Last year the council's cabinet approved plans to allow CPZs to be based in "areas of current or future parking stress", meaning no street is now off-limits if the authority can prove there are an excessive number of cars parking in the area.

A council spokeswoman said the authority has not yet consulted residents about the plans but councillors are aware of the proposals.