RETAILERS have handed in a petition protesting about the lack of car parking space in Chippenham, which they say is damaging trade.

Chris and Pam Burfoot, proprietors of Pembroke Photography in Upper Market Place, Chippenham, have collected nearly 500 signatures in less than three weeks.

They said trade had been devastated following the closure of the Timber Street car park to create improvements at the bus station.

"We have seen a reduction in our turnover of around 30 per cent," said Mr Burfoot.

"This is simply due to our customers not being able to park at this end of the town."

The petition has been handed in to the Mayor of Chippenham Barbie Dawson, Coun Philip Allnatt of North Wiltshire District Council, Coun Sandie Webb of Wiltshire County Council, and Wiltshire's chief constable Elizabeth Neville.

The Burfoots said the shortage of car parking space would hit small independent traders, which gave the town its character.

Mr Burfoot argued the removal of parking space did not encourage people to use public transport but drove them to shop in other towns.

"We know because this is what our customers tell us," he said.

He is also angry that the 30 minute parking restriction outside the shop is not enforced, with people using the short-term parking space for the whole day. "Very occasionally we get some police officers taking registration numbers, and about 25 minutes later it's like the start of the Le Mans race with drivers running to their cars to move them," he said.

"If more spaces are not provided and the restrictions not enforced the outer areas of the shopping centre will die and the character of the town will disappear."

He suggested more parking should be provided by building a multi storey car park on the Goldiggers site or the Flowers site.

People have been visiting Pembroke Photography simply to sign the petition. "It's not just us," said Mr Burfoot. "I get the impression many traders are suffering in the same way."

North Wiltshire District Council, which owns the former car park in Timber Street, has set up a working party to investigate the issue across the district and members are putting together proposals, following a public consultation on the parking situation.