HARD-UP shopkeepers say the introduction of CCTV is driving away trade from their once-busy shops.

Traders in South Woodford High Road say two new CCTV cameras prevent them from loading and unloading outside their premises.

And, just as importantly, customers can no longer park outside.

Parking in South Woodford was already at a premium before the spies-in-the-sky were installed.

Charges were introduced on weekdays at nearby South Woodford Health Centre car park last July, and then extended to weekends last month.

Cameras have been installed in nearby George Lane as well.

John Russell, manager of the Oxfam shop, said levels of donations and trade had plummeted in recent months.

He said: “I’ve had people come in and tell me they can't bring donations in any more because they’ve got tickets. I’ve had volunteers quit because they’ve had them as well.

“I’ve suggested a number of things to the council, like giving people 10 or 15 minutes’ free parking in the Health Centre car park over the road, or just charging a few pence rather than 70p for an hour like it is now.

“But they don’t want to know. The council is killing us down here.

Alan Crowhurst, 50, who runs Gales Cameras, said: “It’s not just customers, I know two or three delivery drivers that come here who have got booked.

“People can’t stop outside so they don't want to just pop in to make an enquiry and they don’t want to pay just to drop off and collect their films.”

A spokeswoman for Redbridge Council said: “There are two cameras in the High Road, South Woodford: one near the Waitrose store installed around the middle of last year, and the other, opposite Funky Mojoes, installed in January this year. The latter camera is not currently used for parking enforcement.

"Parking contraventions have been picked up by the camera near the Waitrose store since the end of September last year.

“The council is aware of the concerns of traders about lack of on-street parking here but does provide a parking facility at the nearby Health Centre and must take into account the desirability of keeping traffic moving and avoiding delays to buses along this important route.

“Our message is simple if you don't park contrary to the regulations you will not be caught on camera and penalised.”