Blackburn Rovers and town hall officials should examine introducing a park and ride system for fans attending Ewood Park to tackle traffic chaos and parking abuse on match days, it has been suggested.

The plea was made by Blackburn South and Lower Darwen Conservative Councillor Denise Gee to the borough council's ruling executive board.

She told the meeting on Thursday evening too little was being done by Blackburn with Darwen Council to tackle the long-standing problem.

Cllr Gee said: "I call upon the executive members to address the traffic chaos and parking abuse that occurs on home match days of Blackburn Rovers.

"I request answers the following questions.

"When will the yellow lines be repainted on Jack Walker Way as your enforcement team state the absence of clear markings as the reason not to issue tickets?

"When will the cycle lane markings on the pavements be repainted as your enforcement team state the absence of clear markings as the reason not to issue tickets?

’Will you actively support traffic warden enforcement on match days?

"Why is the council not in discussions with Blackburn Rovers regarding alternative arrangements, like a park and ride scheme, that would stop the abuse of parking in surrounding areas?"

Cllr Mahmood replied to the first two questions saying: "The council has allocated significant additional funding in the past two years to undertake road lining works. I can confirm that Jack Walker Way is scheduled to be relined this year.

"The current double yellow lines are visible and enforceable and our civil enforcement officers will issue a penalty charge notice (PCN) to anyone who parks on the double yellow lines on match days if they are not entitled to park there.

"The cycle lane markings were installed when the housing estate was developed. They are merely advisory."

Borough environment boss Cllr Jim Smith answered the second two questions saying: "We have undertaken research on football clubs using park and ride schemes.

"The only football club in the Premier League which operates a park and ride scheme is Brighton and Hove Albion FC.

"The only club in the Championship which operates a park and ride scheme is Southampton FC who are trialling a park and ride scheme this season for nine home matches.

"Our civil enforcement officers are out on patrol on every match day, irrespective of whether it is daytime or evening kick off.

"The match day parking scheme includes areas in Infirmary, Mill Hill, Livesey and Lower Darwen. The officers also patrol Jack Walker Way.

"Our civil enforcement officers have issued 111 PCNs in the match day parking scheme in the four home matches played in August and September. That number speaks for itself."

Cllr Gee said it was 'short-sighted' of the council not to explore the park and ride idea further.