CONTROVERSIAL plans to introduce tough parking restrictions outside a small parade of shops have been shelved by the council after traders protested.

Shopkeepers on the stretch of road by the Chigwell Road/Manor Road roundabout in Woodford Bridge were furious with plans to put in double yellow lines and loading restrictions on the narrow slip road.

They met with council officers last Thursday (July 26) to air their grievances, and yesterday (July 30) a spokesman for Redbridge council said: "The council has agreed to shelve the current proposals and look at ways of providing additional parking and loading facilities to benefit both traders and their customers."

At a meeting of the council's Area Two committee last week, traders called on the council to reconsider the restrictions.

Highways officer Cliff Woolnoth admitted to councillors that he did not know why the double yellow lines were being proposed.

And the Guardian is still waiting for a response from Redbridge Council explaining the rationale behind the ditched proposal.

But speaking after the council announced they had scrapped the plans, Dilip Brahmbhatt, 56, who runs Chigwell News, said: "I am extremely pleased and relieved by this announcement.

"Now we are all looking forward to negotiationg a sensible arrangement with the council.

"All of the retailers here were very worried about the proposals as they stood, because things are bad enough as they are without making it harder for business people."

Pat Ilett, 70, whose family run a florist and a café on the parade, also said she was glad the council had listened to traders.

She added: "They have not told us anything official yet, but if they are saying this to you then I hope they mean it.

"I'm delighted that they have seen sense because what they were proposing could well have put people out of business.

"Hopefully they will now come down and discuss some new ideas.

"Cutting back the old bus shelter and replacing it with some parking bays would be a big help."

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