'We need more traffic wardens' say Kenley shop owners
MOST people cannot stand the sight of traffic wardens – but shopkeepers in one part of Croydon are bucking the trend by calling for more parking enforcers to roam the streets.
Shopkeepers in Kenley say they have been plagued for years by drivers blocking the one-hour bays without fear of getting a ticket, leaving no spaces for potential customers.
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Jimmy Vigh is among the traders calling for better parking enforcement in Kenley
Jimmy Vigh, owner of off-licence Drinks Paradise, said: "Sometimes people leave their cars parked for a whole day, or even a whole week, knowing they will not get into trouble.
"I have not seen a warden down here for over a year. This road has been neglected, and I would say we have lost about 30 per cent of trade due to the problems."
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Marilyn Poulter, who runs Westbourne Florists, said the bay-blocking outside her shop was mainly caused by commuters on route to nearby Kenley Station.
She added: "We have the reverse problem to many shops: we cannot get traffic wardens to come out and give tickets.
"At the moment the bays are on one hour return – which is fine – but we want it to be run properly. All we want is for TfL (Transport for London) to enforce what it has already put in place here.
"I've had to adapt my business so I'm not reliant on passing trade.
"The only way to save our shops is to have more traffic wardens."
The Advertiser has learned that Police Community Support Officers will start patrolling the road three times a day in response to traders' complaints.
Ward councillor Steve O'Connell has also promised to take the problem to London mayor Boris Johnson if the situation does not improve.
Paul Cowperthwaite, TfL's head of traffic enforcement, said motorists who parked illegally risked fines of up to £130.
He added: "As a result of concerns expressed by local shopkeepers, an increased level of enforcement will be undertaken from next week."
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