Traditional retailers in Faircross Parade, Barking, say that drivers who leave their cars for long periods in breach of the area's one hour parking limit are strangling their trade by forcing shoppers who cannot park there to go to supermarkets instead.

Dennis Burke, owner of Den's greengrocers and fruiterers, said: "The traffic wardens are doing their best - but you're only meant to stay for an hour and there are cars out here nearly all day.

"If people can't park, they won't carry heavy meat and groceries."