PRESSURE is mounting from independent traders in East Finchley against proposals to change parking regulations in the area.

Many claim the implementation of all day restrictions will kill the high street and reduce the number of shoppers visiting the area.

Plans for a blanked 10am-6.30pm parking ban have been put forward by Barnet Council in response to consultations with residents and businesses, which found 42 per cent of people within the current all day zone wanted to see changes to the controlled parking zone (CPZ).

But Dino Loizou, from the East Finchley Traders Association, said the plans go too far and will crush trade coming into the area.

He has started a petition which has gone to all outlets along the High Road, and said he alone has already collected 250 signatures from customers visiting his electrical supply shop.

“As traders and residents, the biggest concern is the effect it is going to have on the high street,” said Mr Loizou.

“If the changes happen there is going to be nowhere to park. People who live and work here are outraged.

“It was quite a broad criteria they gave us on the questionnaire. But it doesn't need a blanked ban, and many people seem appalled by the whole thing.”

He recognised there had been problems in the past with commuter parking, but insisted the present measures had alleviated much of the parking build up while still allowing shoppers to visit the area.

“It doesn't need to be more effective than that,” he said.

“Traders everywhere are struggling in the recession with competition coming from other areas, but we are holding our own.

“But pushing through this scheme would be a final nail in our coffin, it will really send a lot of people over the edge.”

The plans will also see the area divided into three zones, where individual permits will be required to park in specific roads.

Parking bosses said the review is part of a rolling review of all CPZs across the borough, and said they had received “a great deal of correspondence” from residents who live close to the tube station about being unable to park close to their homes.

In a statement, the council said: “The questions [in the questionnaire] were centred around how the existing CPZ scheme was working and to allow the council to assess whether changes need to be made to the scope or timings of parking controls.

“We invited all residents and traders within the CPZ to give us their views on how they think the scheme is operating and what impact it has had in the area.”

Michael Paphitis, manager Tony's Continental supermarket, said the current scheme, which includes all day and one hour restrictions, is “perfect”.

He said: “If we can't get people coming into the shops we might as well close down and go home.

“It's ridiculous, it is going to kill the area.

“If people drive by and realise they can't park in the roads and the only option is to park in the limited number of pay and display bays, they will just carry on off to Tesco or Waitrose and won't think to come here again.”

The council confirmed no decision has been made and insisted they will be conducting further consultations at the end of October.

All representations received during the statutory consultation will be included in a report to the Highways Manager who will debate the proposal in consultation with the cabinet member for environment and transport and chairman of the Finchley and Golders Green area sub-committee.