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Simon Hughes MPRepresenting Southwark and Bermondsey since 1983 |
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‘We need to get behind small local businesses’ says MP
May 21, 2012 2:00 PM
Simon Hughes, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark has given his support to local small businesses who are concerned that Transport for London's (TfL) plans to change the parking provision along Old Kent Road will damage their businesses.
TfL has floated plans to increase parking restrictions along the Old Kent Road in order to improve the flow of traffic. However, small business owners have reacted strongly against the plans, arguing that such changes will only encourage people to shop at the big supermarkets in the area as they have their own customer parking.
Simon said:
"I am concerned about any plans that will have a detrimental impact on local small businesses who are already struggling to compete against large corporations such as Tesco, Sainsbury's and ASDA.
"Although ensuring that traffic flows as easily as possible along London roads is important, this needs to be offset against any negative knock-on effect changes would have on small business owners. The small, independent businesses along the Old Kent Road rely on customers being able to access their shops easily. Unlike the big supermarkets, small business owners cannot provide their customers with a large customer car park and therefore increased parking restrictions or the reduction of parking spaces is likely to have a significant impact on their businesses.
"I am pleased that TfL are reviewing their proposals and have called on TfL to give due consideration to the concerns raised by local businesses. As ever, I am committed to doing all that I can to support local small businesses in my constituency."