South Woodford shopkeepers are urging residents to sign their petition to stop CCTV being used to catch out motorists in George Lane

The petitions have been in businesses along George Lane, South Woodford, since Friday, as shopkeepers try to persuade Redbridge Council that further parking restrictions would be bad for trade.

The cameras, which are due to be installed next month, come as part of a £1.7million regeneration project aimed at improving the area for pedestrians.

But after first claiming that the surveillance system would only be used to combat street crime, traders have been angered by last week's news that they will also been used against motorists.

Rob Federico from the Little Woodford Café in George Lane said: “We've got a lot of signatures already and we're expecting more as the week goes on.

“There's a lot of strong feeling about this so we don't see any reason why we won't have all the sheets filled in by the end of the week.

“The London General Assembly say CCTV enforcement should only be used if there are dangers to parking attendants so I don't see how this applies here.”

The petitions are in most shops towards the bottom of George Lane, including David Anthony's Shoes, Helen Rollason charity shop, Abbots Stationary shop and the Woodoven kebab shop.

The regeneration, which will be mainly funded by Transport For London, will also see improved paving, better signage and bicycle racks introduced to the area.

A spokeswoman for Redbridge Council said: "We are are at a loss as to why people are protesting against something that will ultimately make the streets of South Woodford safer, capture those perpetrators of crime and help bring them to justice.

"The cameras are there first and foremost for the safety of local residents.

"But our message is simple - if you don't park contrary to the regulations you will not be caught on camera and penalised.

"This is for residents' own safety.

"How this will put off local residents and shoppers from coming to South Woodford we don't know."