A NATIONAL Westminster Bank could be fenced off in a bid to end illegal parking which is bringing a town centre to a standstill.

Congestion turned to chaos when Stagecoach Ribble introduced double-length bendy buses on its route between Manchester and Burnley which stops in Bank Street, Rawtenstall's main street.

Councillors asked Stagecoach to review its bendy bus operation, but Stagecoach Operations Director Trevor Roberts pointed the finger at the "indiscriminate and uncontrolled parking of disabled drivers' vehicles" on Bank Street which prevented the articulated buses from turning.

Councillors agree, but claim the fault lies not just with disabled drivers but with many motorists who park on yellow lines outside the National Westminster Bank opposite the Stagecoach bus stops. Now Council Design Manager Duncan Clements is to look into the possibility of erecting a 25-yard ornamental fence in front of the bank.

He hopes this would deter motorists from parking outside the building and encourage them to park further up the road.

Councillors were alarmed by suggestions from Stagecoach that they might no longer stop on Bank Street.

Councillor Alan Fishwick told the council's Public Transport Committee: "Bank Street is the best place for passengers to get on and off buses.

"They shouldn't have to move because some people have the discourtesy to park just anywhere.

"Even disabled people don't have carte blanche to park where they like.

"They can only park where they are not causing an obstruction. We should not be making life difficult for bus passengers."

Town hall bosses are now to have behind-the-scenes talks with Stagecoach to see whether a compromise can be reached which would keep the buses on Bank Street.

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