ANGRY traders fear parking restrictions at Overpool shops in Ellesmere Port could drive away their customers for good.

Business owners are also worried where their staff will park, after signs warning motorists they cannot leave their car outside for longer than 30 minutes were erected last week.

Around 200 people have signed a petition so far calling for the parking constraints to be scrapped.

Cheshire County Council says the restrictions have been in force since 1981 but there has never been signs on display.

From November police will no longer be responsible for enforcing the half-hour limit, which is why the county’s highways department has put up the signs.

Responsibility will be passed on to borough council officers.

Sue Ward, who owns Style Council hairdressers said: “This is going to have a massive affect on my business. The staff and customers have nowhere to park. We’ve had no notification to let us know this was happening.

“I have customers who spend a couple of hours here. Some are not local and come from as far as Wales. Where are they going to park?

“A lot of elderly people drive their cars here because they struggle to walk.”

Eileen Barber, who works at Manny Cook betting shop, said: “We now have nowhere to park. I’m from Neston so have to come to work in my car.

“Sometimes I’m here for 12 hours so where am I going to leave my car? I’ve not had a problem parking here in 10 years apart from waiting for a space.

“I think we should be issued with a permit and also have a couple to give to customers who are going to be longer than half an hour.”

Debbie Davies, who runs Debonair beauty salon, said: “The majority of our treatments last longer than half an hour. If customers can’t park they’re not going to want to come here. It’s a big worry.”

Kevin Broome, who is store manager at the Co-op and travels in from Wirral, also raised his concerns about where he would be able to park.

A Cheshire County Council spokeswoman said the restrictions will be rolled out in five to six weeks time, at which point they will look at increasing the limit to two hours.

She added: “We are aware of the concerns of the businesses and are committed to working with them to find a solution.”