DISABLED drivers in Walthamstow fear they could be forced to park long distances from Walthamstow High Street after a parking order was put in place.

Although temporary, the order prevents motorists from parking along the High Street and could prevent disabled drivers from visiting shops and using services there, it has been claimed.

And regulations say the order could be in place for up to 18 months unless abandoned.

Heather Gower, of the Waltham Forest Disability Resource Centre, said: “We found out because some of our service users who use the High Street have been given letters by parking wardens.

“It's coming up to Christmas and people want to buy presents but now they're not going to be able to do that.”

She added that for many service users, parking further away isn't an option and that they could be prevented from visiting the post office or the bank.

The council has promised six additional disabled bays but users of the centre in Warner Road have said this is insufficient.

Mrs Gower added: “It's going to put a real restriction on them. We're having some dialogue with planners about this but it's been a real struggle to find anything out.”

Waltham Forest Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Bob Belam, said: "The aim of this traffic order is to improve the safety of pedestrians using Walthamstow Market, which is a designated pedestrian zone, while ensuring there are enough disabled parking bays in close proximity.

"We have put in place six additional parking bays for the use of disabled drivers and blue badge holders can also park free of charge in side roads next to the market.

"This is a temporary order and we would welcome residents' views and suggestions before a decision is made about making the order permanent."

The authority has also stated traffic management order is aimed at 'clarifying the existing rules for the market' and 'preventing repeated breaches of the existing rules'.

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