Traders oppose new parking scheme

Parking is difficult in the Belgrave Road area, known as the Golden Mile

Traders along a busy shopping area in Leicester fear shoppers could be driven away if a resident parking permit scheme goes ahead.

Commuters and shoppers using side streets are being blamed for a shortage of spaces for residents.

Leicester City Council is considering a �25-a-year permit scheme in the Belgrave Road area.

Council spokesman Andy Thomas said a consultation was under way but a final decision had not been reached.

He said: "It is a difficult issue - we are not forcing people into a resident parking scheme.

"We don't impose a residents parking scheme on communities that don't want it."

Fall in trade

Dharmesh Lakhani, who runs Bobby's Restaurant which is located in the area - also known as the Golden Mile - said there was not enough notification about the consultation.

"None of the businesses (in the area) had received any notification - and didn't have any until after we called a meeting with a local councillor on Monday," he said.

Sales have dropped by 50% in some cases and the parking scheme would drive more customers away, he added.

More car parks have been called for in the area for customers.

Businesswoman Priti Mattani said the permit scheme would "really devastate the entire road" by limiting parking.

Information packs have now been sent by the city council to households and businesses in the Belgrave Road area.

The consultation will run until 24 December.

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