Shopkeepers in Chigwell Road fear new traffic restrictions will hurt their businesses

Shops in Woodford Bridge will have to close if proposed parking restrictions by Redbridge Council are introduced, traders say.

The council wants to introduce double yellow lines on a slip road at the Chigwell Road/Manor Road roundabout next to shops including Floral ‘N’ Hardy florists, the Bridge pharmacy and the Sea Farers fish and chip shop.

But traders believe the restrictions will turn away customers and leave them with no options for deliveries.

Ibrahim Pireudak, 38, who works at Sea Farers, said: “I don’t understand it.

“If they come round and there’s nowhere to park, they will go somewhere else.

“The council won’t get business rates if we close.”

Richard Aveyard, from the council’s parking management team, wrote to businesses to say complaints about parking had been received and so changes were needed.

The road currently has five parking bays, which will be retained, and single yellow line restrictions during the day, with customers parking up for short periods.

A disused bus stop on the road is going to be removed but it is not clear if that space will become a parking bay.

Pat Ilett, 70, who has invested in two businesses run by her daughters on the slip road, said: “It’s going to put a big strain on shopkeepers.

“If the buses are not going to come down here, take the yellow lines away, put a bay in for delivery and collection without restrictions and leave us alone.”

Michael Caracino, 24, who works at school outfitters Carolina, said: “It’s absolutely disgraceful. It will close our business down. No one will come here.”

Traders raised their concerns with councillors at last week’s area two committee meeting and met with Mr Aveyard, Transport for London and Redridge Police on Thursday.

Ms Ilett said Mr Aveyard was willing to look into delivery bays.

Speaking at the area committee meeting, Cllr Robin Turbefield, of Bridge ward, said: “You probably appreciate that parking anywhere in the borough is quite a difficult situation.

“We will look at what we could do.

“You need extra bays but they need to be policed in some way or they become a parking space for someone all day.”