MOVES to stop motorists parking in residential streets in Clitheroe town centre are getting into gear.

And jubilant residents have said the sooner the scheme gets off the ground the better.

They have been fighting to clear their streets of cars left by motorists dodging charges on nearby car parks.

Ribble Valley Council planning committee will decide next Tuesday whether to back a plan proposed by Lancashire County Council to ban parking on 12 town centre streets.

The scheme, which is recommended for approval, will see residents paying from £20 to £100 a year for exclusive parking rights in their street.

Council chief engineer Graham Jagger said: "Residents living in the designated parking zones will be able to buy parking permits, but the expected cost of the permit is unknown.

"Residents who decide not to buy a permit will not be able to park in the zones.

"The zones will be patrolled by traffic wardens and motorists will have to look elsewhere.

"Whether or not they decide to park in one of the council's car parks is an unanswerable question at the moment."

If the scheme gets the green light, residents will be consulted and the new rules could be in place by August.

But the plan will only go ahead if it receives "substantial support" from residents, Mr Jagger added.

Derek Pearson, of Brennand's Street, welcomed the plan and said parking in his street was now "impossible".

"Most days you can't get your car near your house. We have to unload shopping in the middle of the street.

"Residents-only parking is a great idea and the sooner the better," he said.

Melanie Gerrard, of Cowper Avenue, said the scheme "was a good idea."

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