BUSINESS owners say a council’s parking policy is hitting their profits.

Adrian Bourne, owner of Kimono Hairdressers in Manor Road, Chigwell, and Adrian Ajibade, owner of Chigwell computers, are worried about Essex County Council’s plan to cut even more parking spaces from outside their businesses.

The pair say they have lost 80 percent of their footfall due to the parking problems and have had no help from the authorities.

Developments of 14 flats and 35 parking spaces next door to the shops mean that the council have to widen the pavement and shorten the number of parking bays.

The spaces across the street in Warren Court, which is the road opposite the businesses, have also been lost after a permit system was put in a year ago.

Mr Bourne said: “Everyone is up in arms. We have lost forty parking spaces in the past year. It’s made a huge difference to myself and my business. You see customers driving back and forth. They then call up and say ‘can I leave my appointment today?’ They’re making it harder and harder.

“It’s our lifeline. We have lost a lot of clientele.”

Mr Ajibade’s computer shop is two doors down from the hairdressers. He says he is struggling and claims the MP for Epping Forest, Eleanor Laing, hasn’t helped.

He said: “It’s ridiculous. It has killed my business totally. I’m literally struggling. I have lost 80 percent.

“We have gone to the council and the local MP. They really don't care.

“Eleanor Laing only comes round here when she’s doing election campaigns.”

But Mrs Laing hit back, saying the issue is bigger than Manor Road.

The deputy speaker of the House of Commons said: “I’m surprised they have said that because it’s not just about parking. The issue of road safety does not just affect Grange Hill. It affects every part of the constituency. It’s not true they have not had any help from me.

“I do not have the power to change the rules but what I do is constantly refer problems and solutions.

“If MPs could sort out parking it would make life easier but it’s a complicated problem.

“I’m working on it and the people of Grange Hill are wrong to say I am not doing anything.

“I’m working on this on a daily basis and so are district councillors.”

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “These improvements follow planning permission by Epping Forest District for the replacement of two adjacent houses with 14 flats and 35 parking spaces. Because the new flats require access from Manor Road, the pavement is being widened, with a new, safer pedestrian crossing point. To achieve this, we have had to shorten the existing parking bay, with planned creation of alternative short-stay parking places in a nearby road.”