FURIOUS residents have turned out in force to protest at Bexley Council's plans to regenerate their village.

People and traders in Belvedere claim far from revitalising the village, the council's plans could kill it off.

The council has secured £1.3m to pour into Belvedere, mainly from Transport for London.

But the cash comes with strings which include axing many of the on-street parking bays in Nuxley Road, widening footways and narrowing the roadway, with the aim of discouraging cars from the village and easing the way for buses.

Residents and traders say reducing short-stay on-street parking in Nuxley Road will kill off trade in the village.

Although the council responded to villagers' opposition to opening Albert Road to two-way traffic, people at a packed public meeting in the village on Saturday claimed most of them had not been properly consulted.

Feelings came to a head at a heated Belvedere Forum meeting last week, where a council officer outlined the plans, just approved by the council's cabinet.

Within three days, Saturday's meeting was organised by village traders and residents, which attracted more than 120 people to Belvedere Baptist Church in Nuxley Road.

Also there was Erith and Thamesmead MP John Austin and Belvedere councillors Daniel Francis and David Leaf.

Resident Maisie Jamieson echoed the feelings of many when she told the meeting: "Taking the parking away from the road was the beginning of the wrecking of Erith.

"It was the end of the shops and we should learn the lessons of history."

Trader Mike Sales said proposals such as new benches and planting would be no good if the lack of parking drove people to shop elsewhere and destroyed the village.

Trader Mick Singh, who spearheaded the protest meeting, said it was important to emphasise traders were not against most of the proposed improvements.

To applause, one resident said if the council would not listen to their objections, they should stage a sit-down protest in Nuxley Road.

A protest committee is being formed and residents and traders are being urged to write to Bexley Council, objecting to the plans.

Both Mr Austin and the ward councillors have offered to help set up meetings with council officers, to see if the plans can be amended.