MOTORISTS descending on a popular Pendle village have been urged to be more considerate after police were called in to help guide buses and larger vehicles through its jammed centre.

Barley remains an attractive destination for both locals and Pendle Witch tourists, especially since the reopening of the Barley Mow restaurant.

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But cars have been left packed on either side of the village’s main road, and occasionally left on the bus turning circle, leading to traffic grinding to a standstill last weekend. Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson and Pendle West county councillor Christian Wakeford have now urged drivers to take care when visiting the area.

Trials have been ongoing for a residents-only parking scheme, as space is at such a premium, after lobbying by neighbours in Pendle Row, and the impact is being monitored by Barley Parish Council.

Mr Stephenson said: “This has been an ongoing issue for some time and I would encourage residents to use the large public car park beside the picnic site rather than block people’s driveways or entrances.

“As the local MP, I’m absolutely delighted that the likes of the Barley Mow and Pendle Inn are doing so well but motorists need to show a little consideration when leaving their cars nearby.”

Cllr Wakeford added: “People have been parking on the bus turning circle, which has made matters worse. We know that there is only limited parking in the village and this has prompted the residents-only parking scheme.”

Parish councillor David Heap said, in a recent village newsletter, that a bollard had been installed near the restaurant to prevent inconsiderate parking by larger vehicles. Further consideration would be given to the introduction of more strategically-placed bollards, if vehicles continued to block highways and pathways, he added.

The parish council, which is in negotiations with the borough council over the eventual management of the picnic site car park, has also contacted Pendle Row residents to gauge their views on the trial parking permit scheme.