SHORT stay parking could be introduced on Darwen's pedestrianised Bridge Street.

Council bosses unveiled plans to provide disabled bays on the street last month.

But now a 101-signature petition has been handed to council bosses asking for 'limited waiting' bays to be included in the plan.

Traders on the street have complained that customers are put off from shopping because of the problems parking in the town and that as a result, they are missing out on passing trade.

Highways officer Nick Hughes, in a report to Thursday's planning and highways committee, said: "The petitioners want both disabled bays and limited waiting bays for general users with traffic allowed on Bridge Street for access to the shops.

"It was suggested that this be controlled by only allowing vehicles to turn right out of Bridge Street on to Hardman Way to prevent rat-running.

"Officers will investigate this matter."

Currently, only lorries are allowed on to Bridge Street, and only if they are making deliveries.