Iain Duncan Smith has labelled the council “oblivious” to business needs amid community concern over parking vouchers.

The Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green spoke with anxious shopkeepers fearing for their businesses in Station Road in Chingford on Friday (April 29).

A number of business owners are concerned the changes to parking vouchers outlined in the council’s Traffic Management Order (TMO) will deter their elderly customers.

Cllr Clyde Loakes has confirmed the use of two one-hour vouchers for two-hour bays following some confusion in the council’s message.

A council officer’s statement suggesting anyone wishing to park for more than one hour would have to pay a whole-day permit costing £11 has since been withdrawn.

In the TMO the price for one-hour vouchers increased by 92 per cent from £1.30 to £2.50 which nearly doubles the price of two one-hour vouchers from £2.60 to £5.

Mr Duncan Smith said: “The council seems to be oblivious to the needs of this community.

“What we’ve got, and in the case of Mr Loakes, is a council which is very anti the car and this constantly seems to be its position.

“These shopkeepers need the passing trade and if you take that away from them you’ll see empty shops and the community will suffer.

“It’s a very simple answer, let’s have a proper review, talk with the shopkeepers and figure out what makes this community tick."

Costa Coffee opened its Station Road shop in September last year with another two stores due to open in the borough in the next two months.

Costa’s operational manager for Waltham Forest, Rimon Islam said: “For us at Costa Coffee it’s going to make a huge impact.

“People won’t be able to pop in and have a coffee if they start introducing these ridiculous changes.

“We’re investing a lot of money into Waltham Forest and this is no way for the council to treat us.

“At the end of the day it’s our livelihood.

“We employ nearly 100 people in Waltham Forest so it’s really important for us to protect these jobs and the families affected.”

The issue will be raised at the neighbourhoods scrutiny committee on Wednesday (May 4) in Waltham Forest Town Hall from 7.30pm.