MP: plans to speed up Old Kent Road traffic could hit local shops

Earlier this year Transport for London carried out a public consultation exercise on plans to cut the number of parking and loading spaces on Old Kent Road between Bricklayers Arms and Glengall Road.

TfL also plans to introduce extra CCTV cameras to enforce traffic restrictions.

"I am concerned about any plans that will have a detrimental impact on local small businesses who are already struggling to compete against large corporations such as Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda," said Simon Hughes, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark.

"Although ensuring that traffic flows as easily as possible along London roads is important, this needs to be offset against any negative knock-on effect changes would have on small business owners.

"The small, independent businesses along the Old Kent Road rely on customers being able to access their shops easily.

"Unlike the big supermarkets, small business owners cannot provide their customers with a large customer car park and therefore increased parking restrictions or the reduction of parking spaces is likely to have a significant impact on their businesses.

"I am pleased that TfL are reviewing their proposals and have called on TfL to give due consideration to the concerns raised by local businesses. As ever, I am committed to doing all that I can to support local small businesses in my constituency."

TfL did not respond to requests from the SE1 website for clarification about the nature of the review or the exact scope of the proposed changes to parking arrangements.