TRADERS and shoppers in Ongar are angry at expensive and "restrictive" parking regulations which they claim are driving business away from the High Street.
Accusations that existing parking arrangements are damaging business in the current economic climate, coupled with the view that the situation is biased towards Sainsbury's, are prevalent in the town.
"I would do much more shopping in Ongar if I wasn't constantly clock watching and looking for the dreaded traffic warden," said resident Rebecca Allison.
"I got a parking ticket in Ongar when I was five minutes late."
She added: "Parking prices are too expensive."
Fay Hewett, 42, owner of Balloonatics in the High Street, said: "I have been here ten years and we have always had a problem with parking.
"It punishes loyal customers who want to use the High Street and discourages people from coming into the shops.
"Last week there were three traffic wardens all in Ongar High Street and I had an elderly customer get a ticket for being just one minute over.
"It is getting worse over the years – the High Street struggles to get the footfall and it's 100 per cent the parking restrictions' fault.
"People are just clock watching instead of enjoying shopping."
Mrs Hewett is calling for changes to parking charges, which she believes will help the High Street to prosper.
She said: "Parking should be free, or at least free for two hours.
"It would be a great help.
"It would be good even if it was just free after 3pm.
"Lakeside is free, Harlow is free – why would people come here, especially when the wardens are so strict?
"It's a hard time for shops as it is.
She added: "We are in a recession and less people are coming. Now is not the time to punish the shoppers."
Ongar town councillor Shelia Jackman MBE said: "People know the rules when it comes to parking.
"Parking attendants are strict everywhere.
"If people have a problem with the pricing then they should take it up with Epping Forest District Council."
Mrs Hewett believes that the parking situation is biased towards the supermarket giant Sainsbury's, which has a store off the High Street.
"Sainsbury's return your parking fee, everyone is encouraged to just go to Sainsbury's and there isn't enough time to visit the High Street," said Mrs Hewett.
"Customers can't fit in both their weekly shop at Sainsbury's and a visit to the High Street.
"The High Street shops offer a great customer service.
"We may be a town but we have the feel of a village.
"We want to chat with our customers but there isn't any time before the warden comes."
The variety of the shops in the High Street has been criticised, with many specialist stores, gift shops and small newsagents, but not enough food and clothes shops.
"If people want to go and buy tights, tops, jeans or shirts, they have go out of Ongar," said Cllr Jackman.
"There are plenty of shops but maybe too little variety."
Last year's reopening of the Epping Ongar Railway has dramatically boosted visitors to the town, yet Cllr Jackman added she was unsure if all the shops were benefiting.
A Sainsbury's spokesman said: "Ongar Town Council manages the car park at our Chipping Ongar store.
"This was a condition of our planning application and we make no profit whatsoever from this arrangement.
"We know that many customers use the car park to shop in the store as well as shop in the High Street.
"We work hard to make a positive difference in the communities we serve.
"Last year we donated £1,200 to the Chipping Ongar Primary School PTA, which is the local charity partner for the store."
