Traders in "London's best high street" in Ealing fear the introduction of Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ) in nearby roads could wipe out its businesses.

Pitshanger Lane, home to around 50 independent businesses, won the Great British High Street Competition in November last year after a local campaign "delighted" judges .

But traders fear all could be lost if Ealing Council introduce CPZs in the nearby Kent Gardens area.

Businesses claim it would force day-long parking on to Pitshanger Lane and adjoined roads, reducing parking spaces for customers they rely on.

The Kent Gardens area is bounded by Kent Gardens, Cleveland Road, Kent Avenue and Scotch Common.

Chairman of Pitshanger Village Association and estate agent, John Martin, fears customers could be lost to nearby supermarkets if there is nowhere to park.

It is feared customers could have nowhere to park

'Pitshanger Lane is unique'

Mr Martin, who opened John Martin Estates on the street more than 20 years ago, said: "Why would anyone re-let their shops if everyone's going to Tesco and Waitrose?

"I think it could put shops out of business.

"Pitshanger Lane is unique and something very different to any other area in London, hence our award, but there are certain individuals hell bent on destroying it."

The proposed CPZ would be in operation two hours a day, one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon.

Some residents of Kent Gardens said they support the introduction of CPZs, claiming commuter parking has made their road unsafe.

One resident, who has lived in Kent Gardens for 24 years and requested to stay anonymous, said: "It is really busy, many struggle to get through their driveway".

Kent Gardens resident, Ron Keefe, a data analysts who has lived on the road for 18 years, added: "The main problem we have is with schools who use the road as their car park.

"So it makes pulling out of your driveway very difficult".

Pitshanger Lane could be destroyed by nearby CPZs, traders claim

Consultation

Ealing Council consulted 885 residents who live in the Kent Gardens area with a deadline of June 24, following requests from residents.

The result was a 50/50 split in the "core area", who made up 543 of the residents, which means the council will press ahead with a statutory consultation.

But forms handed out in May told residents the council would only press ahead if a majority were in favour, and would scrap plans if the vote was 50/50.

The council said it changed its policy at a meeting on June 15, meaning it could press ahead without a majority.

CPZ zones are also proposed in Pitshanger Lane, with Pitshanger South to be consulted in 2017/18 and Pitshanger North in 2018/19.

But a number of businesses on the road said that many traders will not be able afford permits to park near their shops for the day if a CPZ is introduced there.

Traders like John Martin fear for Pitshanger Lane

'It will cause massive heart ache'

It is thought that Pitshanger Lane, which along with surrounding roads offers short and long term parking, currently employs around 400 people.

Rachael Hunt, who has owned the Cinnamon Café on Pitshanger Lane for more than three years, believes she will have to close if a CPZ is introduced in the Kent Gardens area and then later in Pitshanger Lane.

The 47-year-old, who has lived in Ealing her whole life, said: "For me it would close my business, it would cut access for the elderly to come in.

"It will cause a massive heartache."

A council spokesman said: "Local residents petitioned for us to consider and consult on the introduction of a controlled parking zone given the immense pressure on their streets from commuters using them as a free car park, some of them parking dangerously.

"Having carried out a consultation of all the affected local households, we are currently looking through the replies and will be undergoing a statutory consultation before making a final decision."

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