Top Tan owner Karen Lawley with colleague Gemma O'Grady holding a petition against the pay and display plan

A decision on whether to introduce pay and display parking in twelve borough roads is edging closer, in the same week a business owner has made a last ditch plea for the plans to be scrapped.

To send a link to this page to a friend, simply enter their email address below.

The message will include the name and email address you gave us when you signed up.

Email address

  Send link

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

Karen Lawley, who owns Top Tan, New North Road, Hainault, says shops will be forced to close if pay and display parking is given the go-ahead for the parade her business is in.

The stretch of New North Road is one of 12 where pay and display parking is being considered in a bid by Redbridge Council to raise more money to “help maintain services”.

Tomorrow a consultation on the proposals will come to an end, with councillors set to pour over the results in the coming weeks.

But Mrs Lawley, who has run Top Tan for nine years, said: “They’re trying to kill off our businesses.

“As much as customers are loyal, they’re not going to pay to come here.

“There are enough shops shutting in this area without parking meters.

“They should be trying to keep hold of the shops they’ve got.”

Speaking to the Recorder last week, council leader Cllr Keith Prince said he “will listen” to what people say in the consultation results.

He also described the plans as “Marmite” saying: “Some people like it, some people don’t like. It’s been a Marmite response far.”

But Mrs Lawley said she was “insulted” by the metaphor, adding: “I feel we’re not being taken seriously.”

The proposed pay and display areas would have a 30p charge for 15 minutes of parking, 60p for 30 minutes, £1.10 for one hour and £2.50 for two hours.

A council report into the plans says the 12 new charging zones, which include parts of Aldborough Road South, Seven Kings; Claybury Broadway, Clayhall and Meads Lane, Seven Kings, could bring in £165,000 a year.