Traders today raised safety fears over changes to a 50-year-old one-way system.
The short stretch of Alexandra Street, between Royal Mews and Clarence Road in Southend, will become a two-way street again.
However, Tony Clarke, at card shop TAS, said drivers are not used to looking in both directions before pulling out into Alexandra Street from Clarence Road .
Protest -Tony Clarke surveys the narrow street Picture: MIKE MINERS
He said: "Until people get used to looking to the left there could be accidents. And they'll have to get rid of some of the parking bays to make room for two-way traffic."
The parking fears were echoed by staff at the Southend Association of Voluntary Services at the junction of Royal Mews and Alexandra Street.
"We have quite a few visitors with limited mobility who depend on parking close to us for access," said a spokesman.
Later in the year Clarence Road will also see traffic moving in both directions officially - even though some motorists already do that.
Southend Council has stressed the experimental changes will be reviewed in six months' time.
A spokesman said: "The changes will improve access to the adjacent car parks and reduce traffic exiting from the car park in Royal Mews, which at present can only proceed eastwards to the town centre."
Published Thursday, May 22, 2003
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