Parking enforcement vehicles carrying CCTV cameras issuing tickets as late as 1am are costing Gants Hill businesses custom, according to an unhappy fast food restaurant owner.

Ramsay Savas, 30, who owns Salamis Kebab House, Cranbrook Road, claims tickets for up to �60 are issued through the night and early morning outside his shop and neighbouring businesses.

Trade has dropped considerably over the past three years, said Mr Savas.

He claims CCTV patrol cars are preying on the area which has a high number of restaurants and bars.

Mr Savas said: “I’ve owned the shop for around four years, but parking has been getting worse over the past year.

“Even behind my shop as well, some of my staff have worked here for 20 years and only now do they start to get tickets.

“I’ve been told by my customers they don’t want to come any more because they get tickets, and my neighbours have heard the same thing.”

The problem became so severe business owners gathered more than 30 signatures for a trade petition to have parking made more accessible for customers and staff.

Mr Savas added: “We did the signatures about six or seven months ago and we heard nothing back. They [the council] don’t care.”

With trade the lowest it has been during his ownership, Mr Savas said: “Gants Hill was a very busy place a short time ago, but now no one wants to come here.

“I can’t think what solution there can be apart from stopping these cars.”

A spokesman for Redbridge Council said parking enforcement hours were 7am-11pm from Sunday to Thursday and until 1am on Friday and Saturday.

“At this section of Cranbrook Road we have single yellow line restrictions and pay & display that operate between 8am to 6.30pm.

“Outside of these hours vehicles can park on the yellow lines providing they are not causing an obstruction, parked on the footway or in the bus stand.”