MOTORISTS have been warned about illegally driving along a pedestrianised town centre street in Nelson after an accident.

An elderly woman was struck by a reversing van in the Scotland Road area recently, prompting the alert by PC Ian Willis, the town centre community beat manager.

Under current rules, delivery or service vehicles only are allowed on the route between 4pm and 10pm.

This is said to be frequently flouted by drivers – including cabbies picking up and dropping off fares at the Lord Nelson pub.

The installation of street art, for The Shuttle redevelopment at the junction of Manchester Road, Leeds Road, Market Street and Scotland Road, has less-ened the impact.

But the most recent incident has sparked off a poster campaign by PC Willis, warning motorists they are risking a £30 fixed penalty notice or even arrest and a summons to appear before magistrates.

He said: “There is currently a problem with vehicles driving and parking on the pedestrian area of Scotland Road at Nelson which recently resulted in a person being knocked down.”

PC Willis is urging shopkeepers and drivers to take heed of the warning and the issue has been raised at town centre forums.

Nicholas Emery, of Nelson Town Centre Partnership, said: “All they have to do is go up and down there and slap a few tickets on cars and word would soon travel.

“If automatic bollards were installed outside Oscar’s, on Scotland Road, like they have on Market Street, this would solve the problem but the funding would need to be found first.”