Residential roads could be flooded with lorries as consultation begins on bringing loading bays to roads off Barnet’s high street.

Barnet Council are consulting on a proposal to widen pavements on Barnet High Street, which will mean much of the parking will be removed from the western side of the high street and two loading bays could be placed on Union Street and Salisbury Road.

But residents in the roads fear this will mean lorries are parked outside their houses and businesses, causing more exhaust fumes, noise and further congestion in what are already narrow streets.

Victoria Bakery managing director James Freeman said: “Loss of parking will mean loss of trade to our business and therefore potentially loss of employment, we currently employ over 30 people almost all from the local area.

“If we lose business we would not be able to maintain this level of employment.”

The full response from the Union Street Residents’ Association (USRA) says that the consultation only addresses cosmetic issues to improve traffic flow rather than attracting and retaining businesses, and that loading bays in these streets “contravene” with TfL guidelines.

The TfL guidelines cited state that the road should “at no point be too narrow” for goods, though the USRA say some cars and trucks already have to mount the pavement to pass along the road.

The guidelines also suggest that loading bays should be on the main road as delivery vehicles are “likely to park at ‘first sight’ opportunities” rather than seeking loading bays further away.

Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers, to whom the USRA’s response has been sent, said: "Pavement widening could bring some real benefits to the high street, but it is important to listen to the views of residents regarding loading bays.

“I hope we might be able to find a compromise which allows the pavement widening plans to go ahead, but also addresses the worries people have about loading bays.”

Ms Villiers also suggested dual-use widened pavements, which could be used as loading bays when needed.

Chairman of USRA Keith West acknowledged the high street does need improvements and said the planning team have invited him to help seek alternatives to the loading bays on residential roads.

Environment committee chair Cllr Dean Cohen said the proposal has been developed with input from the town team and ward members to increase pavement space to improve the shopping experience for pedestrians.

He said: “To help balance the mix of parking, the proposals include two loading bays on the high street, one in Salisbury Road and one in Union Street.

“The plans are still the subject of consultation and we welcome any comments and views people may have before any final decision is made.”

The consultation is open until April 20.