TRADERS who feared that shoppers would be deterred from visiting on the one area's busiest shopping areas by the arrival of CCTV cameras have said that the real threat to their businesses are over-zealous traffic wardens.

Business owners are reporting a drop-off in trade, particularly at the weekends, and say shoppers are deterred from the area as it has become notorious for parking fines.

Robert Federico, who runs Little Woodford café, said: “This year I've noticed that the trade is a bit quieter on Saturdays, there just aren't as many people around.

“I think the parking wardens don't help, they just get you at the first chance they get.

“I've heard about people getting fines for just having their tickets upside down, or if you're parked behind a van and you can't quite fit into the space, they'll fine you for having your wheel just slightly outside the box.

“I think it's ridiculous. They just look for ways to get you.”

Marylin Achilleos, works at the Helen Rollason charity shop in George Lane. She said: “Some people were a bit worried before, but so far I can't complain. The only thing is the parking wardens, they come out of the woodwork as soon as you park up.

Kerk Davies, of the South Woodford Business Partnership, said: “I think people are more cautious about parking where they know they might get a ticket, and now they're going to places where they know they can park, like shopping centres.

“I've visited George Lane on Saturdays recently and it seems to be dying a death, and I think is largely down to the inflexibility of the traffic wardens and the parking situation down there.

“We anticipate 20 to 25 more bays soon, and also the reduction of single yellow lines. We're also hoping for system where shops could reimburse customers for parking, as well reducing the cost of the first 20 minutes of parking.”

Nancy Jones, 40, from Repton Park in Woodford Bridge, said: “I've been caught out by a warden. A while ago I parked up and just nipped into a shop for two seconds and when I came back I'd been given a ticket.

“They seem to lie in wait for you while they wait for their chance to give you a ticket.”

But not every business has found the traffic wardens so inflexible. Nicky Swayne, manager of Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shop, said: “I know a lot of people fall foul of the parking wardens, but we actually have a good relationship with them.

“If someone is parked on the road outside they often pop in and ask if the person is in there and if they're going to move their car. Everyone loves sweets I suppose.”

A Redbridge Council spokeswoman said: "Our civil enforcement officers apply the same standards in all of their enforcement activity across the Borough.

"If you don't park contrary to the regulations, you will not receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). There are two large car parks at either end of George Lane, and pay and display parking along George Lane itself.

"The restrictions are intended to enhance road safety, reduce congestion and manage the available parking spaces to the maximum benefit of both visitors and traders in the area.

"If shoppers continue to park legally, making sure they are parked within marked bays and correctly displaying a valid parking ticket, they will not receive a PCN."