THE relaxing of parking restrictions to encourage trade is still not having the desired effect - a month after the new rules were introduced.
Shoppers were given 15 minutes free parking in Station Road, Chingford, after shop owners complained that voucher scheme was hitting trade.
Restricted parking was also reduced from between 9am and 5pm to 10am and 4pm at the end of June.
But traders who spoke to the Guardian said they have not seen any significant increase in business.
Alan Fairs, of Truly Scrumptious cakes, said: “Not enough people know about it because they come into the shop and are still looking out for wardens.
“There should be larger signs to inform people. And people should also know that it has been done to help businesses.”
Melanie Jacobs, who runs the Arthouse Gallery, said: “There should be better signage.
“If more people know about this then it really will be a good thing for us.”
Beverley Tankard, owner of The Bookshop, said: “We are not really sure what is going on publicity-wise because it is taking people an awfully long time for the information to get around.
“We still get a lot of people coming and asking for vouchers and not realising, but when you tell them they are so happy.
Cllr Clyde Loakes, cabinet member for environment, said last month the initiative needed to be given time.
The new signs in Station Road were approved by the Department for Transport and publicised on the council website and information sheet.
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