Clifton new double yellow lines 'bonkers', say traders Published duration 9 February 2015

image caption Florist Kika Hedgecock described the new yellow lines as "bonkers" and "complete nonsense"

New double yellow lines painted around a bicycle parking space and across a road too narrow for a car to get down have been branded "bonkers" by traders.

The lines in Clifton, Bristol, have been painted along with new parking bays ahead of the introduction of a residents parking zone (RPZ).

Businesses have staged protests over the scheme with one hiring a tank and driving it through the streets.

The markings are "complete nonsense", said florist Kika Hedgecock.

image caption Boyce's Avenue in Clifton has a new set of double yellow lines across a piece of road too narrow for a car

"Who could or would park there?" she added.

New parking bays have been painted along streets like The Mall, which previously only allowed parking on one side with loading only on the other side.

"No-one knows if you can park in them or not - it's chaos," said Mrs Hedgecock.

"We didn't want this scheme but they're forcing it on us anyway, so why not put the meters in first, then put signs up, then paint the lines in last - that would make sense."

A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: "The machines will be in place by the time the scheme is officially launched on 16 March.

"In the meantime, motorists can park in the bays free of charge."

image caption Tony Gollege said his customers and delivery vans often struggle to find a place to park

Mrs Hedgecock said her business relies on people being able to pull up near her shop to pop in and buy.

"I've already had customers call me to say they can't park and can I deliver, which of course is more cost to me and a longer working day."

Newsagent Tony Golledge said since the bays were painted he has lost about £1,500 or the equivalent of 50 people a day.

"One customer told me he'd circled the village eight times before giving up," said Mr Gollege.