A LOOPHOLE leaving traffic wardens powerless to stop illegal parking has been exposed after thieves stole the council's warning sign.

The sign warning of parking restrictions along a stretch of single yellow line in Whalley Banks, Bank Top, Blackburn, was taken several weeks ago.

But Blackburn with Darwen Council insists that for the restrictions to be enforceable by parking wardens there must technically be two signs.

So, in the time it takes for the council to replace the sign, motorists can break the law with no fear of punishment. News of the loophole has raised fears that other people could try and steal signs to enable motorists to park where they like.

But the council was today told it was being too officious and rigid in its interpretation of parking regulations.

The situation comes just months after the loophole originally came to light following illegal parking problems in the same street.

Council bosses had only put one sign up in Whalley Banks and, as word spread about the anomaly, more and more motorists began to flout the law. However, following complaints by Adrian Willis, who runs a newsagents in the street, a second sign was installed.

Mr Willis today said he was astonished the yellow line was being rendered useless for the sake of a missing sign. He needs the parking to be kept free for customers and deliveries.

He added: "I think it is diabolical that we have to have this bureaucracy. A yellow line is a yellow line whether it has two signs or not. "When there is a sign you should not be allowed to park there.

"I have been waiting weeks and it shouldn't take this long to sort a sign out.

"Someone has taken down the old one and the traffic wardens have told me they cannot issue tickets. It is just unbelievable."

Kevin Delaney, a former police officer and now traffic manager of the RAC Foundation, said: "It sounds like the council are being too officious.

"To the best of my knowledge there is no law that says there must be two signs, what there must be is adequate signage."

A spokesman for the council confirmed it could not enforce restrictions with the sign missing and added it would try to replace it.