A COUNCILLOR is calling on a residents-only parking scheme for a Colne street to be introduced after a three-year delay.

Pendle councillors approved a scheme for Fothergill Street in May 2011, but the scheme has still not been introduced by the county council.

County hall bosses said they only received the request in October 2012, but would be starting a consultation soon.

Coun Joe Cooney, who represents the Vivary Bridge ward, said: “Colne and District Area Committee approved the scheme at my very first meet- ing as a councillor in 2011, we then reaffirmed this decision in 2013 and yet the county council has still to implement this much needed scheme for local residents.” Local people put in a petition for residents-only parking in July 2010, and a follow-up survey found a large majority of those living in the street were in favour.

A traffic survey found that during the working week, on average 45 per cent of vehicles parked on Fothergill Street were non-residential.

Coun Cooney said: “It’s unacceptable that nearly three years after the scheme was agreed the county council has failed to act. Parking in and around Fothergill Street continues to be a problem for the residents and the scheme will alleviate most of the issues.”

Oliver Starkey, highways manager for east Lancashire, said: “To put in place a residents’ parking scheme we have to change the traffic regulations in the area which requires a formal process of consultation allowing people to comment before a decision is made whether to go ahead. We're sorry for the delay in taking this scheme forward and are working towards publishing the consultation in the near future.”