LOCALS claim an air pollution traffic scheme which fines drivers who visit the area is killing their high street.
Business owners on Wandsworth Bridge Road in West London claim the Clean Air Neighbourhood (CAN) scheme is keeping customers away and hitting them in the pocket.
One trader claimed the area would become a ghost town if things continued as they are.
A restaurant owner claimed weekend trade had plummeted as a result of the scheme which fines out-of-town drivers using roads in the area.
Lauren Clark, 20, who works at Randall’s Butchers along Wandsworth Bridge Road, told London Live that the area would soon become a ghost town.
She added: "We’ve lost about 40 per cent of our trade. So many of our customers came from out of the borough and we’ve had people email and call us and tell us they view the area as a no-go zone now and won’t make the trip."
Teo Catino, who owns Il Pagliaccio on New Kings Road, claimed vital weekend turnover had collapse by 38 per cent.
The Hammersmith and Fulham Council (LBHF) "Clean Air Neighbourhood" scheme uses cameras to ban non-residents from driving down back streets. It's the latest effort to limit air pollution in London.
Motorists who break the rules face a hefty fine, and they are not the only ones who have been hit in the pocket.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council did not rule out the scheme being brought in on other streets when contacted by The Sun.
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A spokesperson said the scheme may be extended "only with clear approval and support of residents/businesses – as has always been the case".
On Monday protesters gathered on Wandsworth Bridge Road calling for a suspension of the CAN project during the 10-week closure of the bridge for repairs.
Local man David Tarsh said: "The council is not listening, we’re seeing the impact on business and it’s really bad. This will make the council millions in fines and charges which is why we believe they won’t give in on it and they’re using the green agenda as cover when it’s nothing to do with that.”
One local trader backed the scheme and said the council had been reasonable and fair.
He said: "The council is not listening, we’re seeing the impact on business and it’s really bad. This will make the council millions in fines and charges which is why we believe they won’t give in on it and they’re using the green agenda as cover when it’s nothing to do with that.”
A council spokesperson said they are aware of the disruption from the bridge closure but that measures are being taken to mitigate the impact.
The spokesperson added: "We have also suspended the traffic camera in southbound Imperial Road to make it easier for visitors to get to shops and businesses in Wandsworth Bridge Road.
“Opening up the roads to all traffic during the closure would result in sat-nav systems re-routing drivers into residential streets and bringing gridlock.
"This would cause more chaos and inconvenience to residents and businesses and generate more pollution.”
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