Market traders have expressed their frustration after being told they can no longer leave their vans behind their stalls.

Stall holders contracts always stated that vehicles should not remain on site and be moved to Brook Road car park by 9.30am - however Hertsmere Borough Council relaxed this requirement during the economic downturn.

Now contractor Brays Associates will be enforcing the rule at the Shenley Road market, forcing some traders to pack up their goods once and for all after being left with nowhere to park.

Terry Batchelor of Hertsmere Council’s engineering services, is dealing with the issue. He said: “As part of the council’s work to regenerate Borehamwood town centre and improve the look of the high street we are working with our market contractor to make the market as attractive as possible.

“We have received many comments and complaints that the vehicles make the market and town look untidy and put people off, so, to help entice as many customers as possible, we have started to enforce the no-vehicle rule.”

The council is now looking at providing business permits that stallholders buy for a nearby car park, but a petition has been launched to voice the traders’ anger.

Stallholder Harvey Blake said: “A few weeks ago, the market was nearly full up but once they said the vans have to go people have just stopped coming. It’s not worth it any more.

“The rent is high already and you can’t make much profit on small items, so to add another £5 for parking is pushing it.

“Imagine leaving your stall if you work on your own, just to go to park your car elsewhere- you just can’t do it.”

Many traders feel that the enforcement of the policy is dangerous, as they will be forced to leave stock unattended.

Mark Shotton, who occasionally runs his father Ronnie’s clothes stall, added: “You’ve now got to park miles away, leaving no one here to look after the stall. It’s not like we’re here every day and people expect to see vans by stalls at a market.

“It’s been like this for years and I just don’t understand this sudden change.”

The council has added that vehicles will stay be able to park at the market in bad weather.

Mr Batchelor added: “We appreciate some traders are not happy with this arrangement but we’re hopeful our continued efforts to improve the look of the market and town will attract more people to the area and benefit everyone in the long term.”