Motorists are being urged not to buy flowers at traffic lights in a crackdown on illegal flower sellers.
Barnet Council officers erected signs in the borough this week warning sellers they may face a maximum £1,000 fine if they are caught trading at traffic lights on major trunk roads in the borough.
Bulgarian Neli Zdravkdva, 47, from Tottenham, claims she sells flowers for £3 a bunch seven days a week from Staples Corner to pay for her children's university tuition abroad. She said: "This is my livelihood and I don't know what I'll do if they try to take it away from me.
"I need the money desperately to pay for my children's education and in Bulgaria, wages are very low. If they stop me, I'll just move on as there's always other places to stand," she added.
The signs also warn motorists that the sellers delay traffic and can cause accidents.
The council's head of public affairs, Kevin Wilson, said: "It's part of our job to encourage business in the borough but these illegal flower sellers are a danger to themselves and other road users and are harming local shopkeepers by trading without a licence.
"To help us stamp out the problem we would urge motorists not to encourage it by buying flowers from these illegal street traders."
In Barnet, council officials have revealed the main selling hot-spots seem to be at traffic lights and major trunk roads. They have erected signs at the junction between Falloden Way and the North Circular and at Henley's Corner, Temple Fortune.
October 31, 2001 17:47
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article