Roads bosses have put on hold plans to limit waiting times in a busy shopping parade after traders raised a petition with hundreds of signatures.

The traders in South Street, Lancing, say the new restriction will lose them trade.

At present there are no restrictions on waiting outside shops and cafes at the south end of South Street but residents have complained that people using nearby pubs and the beach take up parking space all day.

The traders say imposing a two-hour waiting limit would mean customers who need longer, for hairdressing appointments or meals, would not have enough time.

West Sussex County Council had been due to make a decision on the proposals imminently but Wendy Gray, of the Mount Hermon Residential Home in Brighton Road, Lancing, said yesterday she had been informed by letter that the council would be delaying its decision after receiving the petition.

Mrs Gray said: "People are horrified because this will make a lot of difference to their businesses."