Market traders slammed over 'yellow line' parking

Islington Gazette
06 September 2006

PARKING wardens have been "turning a blind eye" to market traders parking illegally in the middle of Islington.
Traders have been parking daily on single yellow lines in Chapel Market, Islington - to the fury of other motorists in the borough - despite the fact they have their own car park.
One 69-year-old resident, of nearby Penton Street, who did not want to be named, said: "The stallholders use their stallholders' licences as if they were parking permits. That card is supposed to hang up outside the stall.
"The council admit they're not parking permits and don't do anything about it."
The resident, who said there were usually at least 10 traders' cars and vans parked at the Penton Street end of Chapel Market, added: "The parking wardens turn a blind eye. They're quick enough to give other people a ticket."
Tim Newark, who set up Islington parking campaign group Local Freedom, said: "The council should do something about it. They move on other things - like fining people for parking outside their own homes.
"Traders do need to be able to bring their own cars and vans to market but it's not fair to local people who have less space to park. We have to fight for every piece of kerb space."
Chapel Market Stallholders' Association chairman Peter Adamides said the parking row had been resolved with council bosses.
He said: "It has been stopped. Traders can park there until 11am and after that traffic wardens will issue tickets.
"We have our own car park but some of the traders are getting away with it and don't want to pay for going in the car park."
Councillor Lucy Watt, Islington Council's executive member for environment, said: "We are working with local shops and market traders to ensure their parking needs are being met but local residents rightly want us to ensure restrictions are fair and properly enforced - so everyone knows the rules.