Small businesses are furious at Merton Council after double yellows lines have been painted near their shops.

Shopkeepers from 244 to 264 on Grand Drive claim they have seen a downturn in business after yellow lines were implemented on the junction of Cannon Hill Lane and Grand Drive.

They are now urging the council to work alongside them to create new marked bays and changes to loading bay restrictions.

The double yellow lines, which are on both sides of the Cannon Hill Lane, were placed on the junction in December 2017 and have limited customer parking spaces.

There are four spaces outside the parade of nine shops, as well as parking outside nearby Edinburgh Court.

Mark Weller, owner of Sunbed City whose business has been trading for 21 years, says his business has been severely affected since the lines were painted.

He said: "The yellow lines were put in with no notification or consultation and eliminating approximately 15 spaces which has had an instant negative impact on the ten businesses in the parades.

“It does make you wonder how long we can stay here. A lot of business trade is struggling. I believe we are 50 percent down in profits since the double yellow lines were implemented.”

He claims customers often cancel appointments at the last minute because they are unable to find a parking space.

Mark, 47, claims he has tried to contact Merton Council for the previous nine weeks via call and email.

However the council has said the decision to paint the yellow lines did follow a consultation.

Chris Lee, director for environment and regeneration for Merton Council said: “The council reviewed the junction of Cannon Hill Lane and Grand Drive after receiving complaints from residents and London buses as cars parked along sections of Cannon Hill Lane were regularly causing bottle necks meaning delays to buses.

“The decision to install double yellow lines was made after a traffic review, which monitored the junction during peak times. This was followed by a three week consultation outlining the council’s proposal to install in the double yellow lines which was advertised in the local papers and on street notices on lamp columns in the area inviting the public to contact us with their views.”

Mark added: “All the shopkeepers would really like is to work with the council to come up with a resolution that enables free flow of traffic but adequate parking for all of our customers instead of four spaces for nine shops.”