Traders at a street food market near King's Cross station say they are "stressed and confused" after Transport for London (TfL) banned parking on an unofficial loading bay they had used for over a decade.
Unofficial loading bay reverts to red route
Stalls in the market next to King's Cross station relied on a stretch of pavement on Pancras Road as an ad-hoc spot for loading and unloading deliveries. At the start of September, TfL laid double red lines, limiting parking to emergency vehicles only.
TfL said the loading bay was "never officially authorised through a traffic order" and that the space had reverted to its previous use as a red route. However, local traders dispute that there was ever a red route before and claim they no longer have a viable way to load and unload goods for the roughly 24 market sellers.
Traders face hefty fines
David Lesniak, owner of comfort food stall Outsider Tart, said: "No one told us what was happening. You'd expect to be told there was going to be work or disruption, or that we can no longer park there. We had nothing."
Drivers parking on the new markings face an £80 penalty charge notice, which doubles to £160 if not paid on time. "Each business is potentially liable for £400 to £800 a month in penalties, simply to load or unload," Mr Lesniak said. He added that the "confusion" has made traders "stressed" as they did not know if they were getting fines for still using the bay because it takes a while for the PCNs to be issued.
Alternative loading bays raise safety concerns
Shell Daruwala, from baked goods stall Bread Ahead, said other loading bays on the opposite side of the station, on York Way, meant crossing a busy road with trolleys full of equipment. "It's extremely difficult, much more dangerous, and brings you into contact with more pedestrians," he said.
Ranya Tarhuni, owner of Sugar Rush International courier service, said it would take her 90 minutes to load and unload if she parked on the other side of the station. Another courier, who wished to be identified only as Ian, said he had received three PCNs since the red lines were introduced and had successfully appealed one fine on the grounds of business delivery.
TfL defends red route decision
A TfL spokesperson said: "Red routes play a vital role in keeping London moving and work hard to balance the needs of everyone using the road network. We recognise the important role local businesses play in communities across London and carefully consider all changes to parking and loading arrangements.
"This area sits directly in front of the station's emergency access and vehicle gate, which is used by the London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service, the British Transport Police and authorised station contractors during emergency and operational incidents."
