RESIDENTS living close to an M65 construction site have blasted the county council for trying to take their doorstep parking spaces away.

People living at the top of Craven's Brow in Darwen, close to where the M65 extension will cross Blackburn Road, have endured months of disruptions at the hands of motorway contractors.

But they now face the prospect of having double yellow lines in front of their terraced homes. The county council suggested the no-parking zone would ease congestion along Blackburn Road, caused by the new motorway link-up.

But locals have already signed a petition and sent several letters objecting to the plans.

Ward councillor Simon Danczuk, who is backing the residents, said: "I have asked officers to investigate the possibility of additional off-street parking in the area."

"I will also make representations to the local planning committee to press for the motorway junction to be opened without the restrictions and for the situation to be monitored to see if parked cars are causing a problem."

He added: "These residents have already had to put up with a lot, due to the building of the motorway and now they're experiencing even more problems."

But a county council spokesman said they were committed to easing the concerns of local residents.

He said: "We are carrying out work in Blackburn Road on behalf of the Department of Transport. Objections to the proposals for double yellow lines have been received and are being considered by the borough council and the police.

"We are hoping to provide parking spaces for residents off-road and will do all we can to ease the problem."

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