A resident who says cones were placed around his car and he was issued a parking ticket after parking by his home on a Blackburn Rovers matchday has spoken out over ‘confusing’ parking rules.

The householder lives near Calico Street, close to Ewood Park, the home of Blackburn Rovers and was issued a ticket despite being ‘legally able to park on the stretch of road’.

He has appealed the decision to issue him with a parking ticket.

Blackburn with Darwen Council said ‘cones are placed on site, by an outsourced Traffic Management Team, at least two hours before until one hour after kick off on match days’.

Rulings state ‘no vehicle can park (wait) within the scheme from two hours before kick-off until one hour after’.

The resident, who lives in Bolton Road, said: “Residents are being issued tickets on matchdays.

“There are no markings to state parking is not permitted on match days on this road.

"The only parking sign visible says there are parking restrictions during the week and these are between 8.30am and 5pm.

“If someone is parked up, how can they place cones next to their car and over-zealous parking wardens then issue tickets on match days.

“There should be clear signage here so people know where they can and cannot park."

Lancashire Telegraph:

On one part of the street one sign appears to have been painted over

A Blackburn with Darwen Council spokesperson said: “Enforcement is required to ensure safety for motorists and pedestrians in this area at times of mass congestion, especially when around 14,000 football supporters are travelling to and leaving the stadium.

“It is not unusual for restrictions of this sort to be in place around entertainment venues/stadiums, locally and nationally.”

With regards to Calico Street the council said: “As a rule, Calico Street, Kidder Street, Nuttall Street, Tapestry Street, Top O’ Th’ Croft, Tweed Street and Velvet Street are restricted by a Traffic Management team, who will notify motorists that proceeding is for access to the main car parks only and parking is not permitted on street.

“Vehicular traffic is also redirected after the match, to ensure that the large numbers of vehicles leaving the venue do so, as quickly and safely as possible, with minimal impact on the residents however, this is only impeded by vehicles parked on the streets around the stadium.

“Calico Street in particular is usually made into two lane traffic with the left lane being sent up to the Traffic lights at Kidder Street and the right-hand lane, redirected through the bus lane.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

A bus lane runs along the frontages of 303-321 Bolton Road for approximately 75 metres. This means residents must park in designated bays.

The resident said he was fined on a match day and at the time of parking there were no cones on the road at all.

He added: “We would like to know what the rulings are for this section of road as it is not clear at all.

“I spoke to a traffic officer who said it was okay to park.

“Also, with regards to permits I am unable to qualify for one as I change vehicle regularly due to work. There are not enough parking bays as it is for residents in this area.”

The council said residential parking on Bolton Road runs along the frontages of 329-389 Bolton Road and 200-252 Bolton Road (between Calico Street and Kidder Street, both sides), and consists of approximately 300 metres of residential parking bays.

The council said: “Ewood restricted permit holders are also able to park in any residential parking bay in the Ewood area and these permits are free from charge, due to the displacement of residents due to the prohibition of driving and waiting order.”

Over conflicting rulings from wardens. the council added: “Civil Enforcement Officers advise those with permits that they may park in any residential area within Ewood with a valid permit displayed.

“A Civil Enforcement Officer may also allow a vehicle to park, if they believe the vehicle is required to be in that location as specified in the Traffic Regulation Order.

If a Civil Enforcement Officer engages with a motorist, they will advise accordingly.

“If a Penalty Charge Notice is issued to a vehicle within this area, they are within their rights to challenge this, in writing, and this will be reviewed by the Parking Services team.”