Town centre shops are to remind their suppliers to stick to rules which North End a pedestrianised zone.

Only a very limited number of vehicles, including emergency services, are permitted to use the road between 9am and 6pm.

All other vehicles are expected to make alternative arrangements, either by arriving at other times or using alternative access.

The aim of enforcing the regulations is to restore the street's safe and pollution-free environment for shoppers.

Drivers ignoring them risk a police fixed penalty notice.

Businesses attending the pre-Christmas Town Centre Group meeting indicated that offending vehicles are making deliveries to premises in defiance of the traffic ban.

Retailers will therefore approach the head offices of their contractors to seek full co-operation.

In return, Croydon Council has promised to come back to the Group's next meeting with practical proposals to enforce the traffic regulations and discourage vehicles from entering the street. One solution might see traffic attendants employed to turn back vehicles in North End and ensure the one-way working is not broken.

Cabinet member for public services Councillor Gerry Ryan said: "Town centre businesses are fed up with the constant passage and parking of vehicles which have no right to be in North End during the main daytime shopping hours."

Town centre operations manager Tony Hart added: "The environment of North End is key to the retail success of Croydon, because it is our High St' and will be judged as such against other retail centres.

"Retailers, police and council are all working in partnership to reduce street crime; the number of illegal traders; and the number of vehicles using North End."

Retailers were also pleased to learn that the joint operation conducted by the council and police to crack down on illegal traders is having the desired effect.

Seizing goods from five such traders and going ahead with prosecutions quickly sent the message that illegal trading is not welcome in the town.

Immediately following the enforcement action, the Sunday roving street traders fell by 85 per cent compared to the week before.

December 5, 2001 16:30