COUNCILLORS have urged schools bosses to get a grip on their parking problems - amid claims that disabled parking spaces are being taken up by student drivers.

Roads around Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School are frequently swamped by teachers’ and older pupils’ vehicles, Rossendale development control committee heard.

Neighbours have complained about early-morning deliveries and school excursions returning late at night, or after-school activities, which bring regular disturbances.

Governors at the school, in Glen Road, Waterfoot, have been given the backing of Rossendale councillors to build a 48-space car park and four bus parking bays, to help alleviate the difficulties.

The final decision on the scheme rests with Lancashire County Council’s development control committee next month.

Coun William Nuttall said: “Up to 30 students have been parking in the area, some of them in disabled bays.

“We have also had buses and cars parked, with their engines running, at 10pm, when there are are school events.

“Delivery wagons have been there as early as 6am”

Coun Alan Neal added: “You can always tell when there is no school because the teachers’ cars are not clogging up Millar Barn Lane.”

The development control committee will ask county planners to consider staggering the arrival of buses at the proposed new bays, banning deliveries before 8am and placing restrictions on traffic movements after 9pm.