SHOPKEEPERS in Bushey village are claiming their trade is being killed off by drivers parking outside their shops for long periods.

They say people are ignoring the signs which limit the stay to half-an-hour and are parking on the High Street for an hour or more.

Proprietor of Hemley's Pet Shop, Mr Mike Hemley, is calling for increased monitoring to prevent him losing customers.

He said: "We are all suffering pretty badly because the area is not being monitored properly by the wardens.

"Two years ago we ran a campaign, Use Us or Lose Us, and we got the parking restriction of half-an-hour.

"It seemed to work for a while but now the system is being abused.

"It has got to the stage where I can't afford to lost one more customer. It has become a desperate situation.

"The village needs stimulation or it will be killed stone dead and the parking situation is very detrimental to our businesses.

"The area is wardened at the wrong times - early in the morning when we don't get much trade.

"If there is no warden here as a deterrent during the day people take advantage.

"Some of my customers tell me they have been around the block three times before they have been able to find a space.

"People using the restaurant or attending weddings at St James' Church sometimes park outside the shop for two hours.

"It is very difficult for small retail, but I am a stayer and have persisted with the business. But the parking situation is seriously restricting trade."

Mr Hilly Salih, from Elsum's Bakery, added: "We are losing money because people can't be bothered to park in the free car park down the road.

"The signs which state the half-an-hour limit are very difficult to see. We really need a traffic warden here from 9am to 3.30pm.

"If I say something to people they just start arguing and that is not my job."

Mr Jason Lowe, who is based at Bushey Police Station, is the traffic warden covering Bushey Heath, Bushey Village, Radlett and Potters Bar. He patrols the High Street every day.

He said: "I can't cover the area more than I am at the moment.

"There is a problem in the High Street partly because people park there to go to the restaurant not realising there is a half an hour limit.

"We really need another sign so that everybody knows the time limit."

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