CALLS for a crackdown on selfish and illegal parking on double yellow lines in Ulverston have been made.

Ulverston Town Council is pressing traffic wardens working for Cumbria County Council to "rigorously enforce" parking restrictions in Market Street, New Market Street, Brogden Street and Queen Street following several incidents of blockages in the town centre.

Concerns have been raised over access in the case of emergencies due to the daily flouting of traffic laws by drivers, last Monday's town council meeting heard.

Introducing a motion which was unanimously passed by members, Councillor Judith Pickthall said: "Last week within 24 hours twice there was gridlock in the town centre because of selfish car parking. It was frustrating because it was impossible to find the driver.

"We need to have people chasing this up. We need to write to the county council to look particularly at market days.

"On a Sunday morning there are serious problems in the town, causing great upset to other motorists."

Regular complaints

The motion calls on Cumbria County Council to step up their checks and issue tickets to drivers who break traffic laws.

Residents and businesses have complained of cars being forced to veer round drivers parked on double yellow lines, often mounting the pavement, and lorries causing long traffic traffic jams as they are unable to do so.

Cumbria County Council is responsible for on-street parking, while South Lakeland District Council is responsible for its own car parking.

Cllr Janette Jenkinson told the meeting that she wanted SLDC to take over responsibility for managing on-street parking too.

She said: "It's about time South Lakeland District Council thought 'we think we can do these service. It's no hassle to us. We have our parking wardens in the area and we can do it'."

Cllr Norman Bishop-Rowe said he was worried that emergency vehicles could be unable to reach the scene of a life-threatening incident if they end up stuck behind an illegally parked car.

He said: "A fire engine has the same turning circle as some of these large delivery vehicles."

<strong>RELATED ARTICLE:</strong>  Petition to stop parking that could put children in danger