Traders are slamming “damaging” plans to stop people parking on two streets near Saltaire roundabout and are demanding a large car park be built if the changes happen.

A 244-signature petition says there will be “absolutely nowhere” for business owners, staff and customers to park if ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions are put on Hirst Lane and Clarence Road.

Opponents say the scheme, which is part of a bigger project to improve Saltaire roundabout, would choke off customer access to the string of businesses opposite the Shell garage.

Hirst Road in particular serves as a safe parking spot for those visiting the parade in Bingley Road which only has limited spaces on the main road itself.

Stuart Hargreaves owns popular cafe 211 The Deli and spearheaded the campaign against the suggested restrictions.

“This could cripple our businesses and potentially force closures,” said Mr Hargreaves, who has lived in the area all his life.

“I understand they need to do something to improve traffic flow, but surely not at the expense of small businesses during these tough economic times,” he said.

“I do not object to the plans per se, but there has got to be compromise either by making an existing local private car park open to the public or creating a new one on this side of the roundabout,” Mr Hargreaves said.

Hairdresser Steff Dirienzo has owned and run the Creative Hair Studio for 12 years and said her customers all used Hirst Road as a handy place to park.

“Just where are they supposed to leave their cars if this goes ahead?

“I got more than 100 signatures for the petition against this idea and I could have easily got double that with a little more time,” she said.

At dry cleaning and laundry shop County Cleaners owner Martin Smallwood said his family-owned business of 20 years would be sure to suffer.

“Where else can people park – it just has not been properly thought through and makes no sense,” Mr Smallwood said.

At hairdressers Cross and Co, owner Damian Cross said it was important for everyone that Hirst Road and Clarence Road offered some flexible parking.

The petition has been sent to Bradford Council and will be considered by Shipley Area Committee when it meets at Shipley Town Hall at 6pm on Wednesday.

The objections came after the suggested changes were advertised for a month from March 15.

The petition says changes “will have a hugely damaging effect on both us and surrounding businesses.”

But a report to the Committee by Council officers said: “These restrictions are considered essential to ensure the safe and unhindered movement of traffic including commercial vehicles through the junctions and along Hirst Lane and Clarence Road.”

Area committee members have been advised by Council officers to overrule those objections and vote to continue with the planned works.

Councillor Martin Love (Green, Shipley) said if businesses wanted a large car park to be built in the village, they needed to suggest a location.

“They’re asking for the Council to build a car park nearby, but there’s nowhere to put one. The bottom lines is that double yellow lines are necessary for HGVs to easily access the industrial estate at Hirst Wood.”