FRUSTRATED business owners are demanding the council installs loading bays outside to boost the safety of customers and residents.

Businesses in London Road, Leigh have been asking Southend Council for help “for months” with lorries forced to park on the busy road.

Clive Kilworth, owner of Lightstyle, a light-fitting business, has witnessed countless near misses as cars overtake delivery lorries.

He said: “For the public’s and shop owners safety I have been requesting a loading area.

“All retailers in this block have zero rear access for loading and unloading, forcing every delivery lorry to double park on the busy main road on a daily basis.

“The parking bays outside the shops on this parade are constantly full with supermarket shoppers and this causes people, some with children, to then negotiate crossing the busy London Road.

“I have personally witnessed on a regular basis pedestrians narrowly being missed by cars overtaking delivery vehicles which have been forced to double park to make their drop off.”

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Jose Silva, 40, owner of Little Talk Cafe, said lorries struggle to park close to his shop.

He said: “I think it will help a lot to have loading bays outside our businesses.

“I think it could be the best thing the council could do and I think it will benefit us a lot.

“I do have problems loading and getting deliveries and at times my delivery drivers have to park a long way a way.

“It will help to have less distance to carry products and deliveries for my business and the parking does get so busy so at times we have no where unload.”

Ron Woodley, cabinet member for transport, asset management and inward investment, said: “We are aware of a request which has been submitted for a loading bay to be considered in this area of London Road, Leigh.

“Any request for a new parking scheme, including loading bay provisions, must follow council processes, including appropriate governance and this can take time. “We are in regular correspondence providing updates to the person who has requested this, and we will continue to do so.”