TRAFFIC wardens on a busy road have caused drivers to flee ‘like rats leaving a sinking ship’ after campaigning by residents.

People in Oswaldtwistle had been complaining ‘for months’ regarding parking problems in Union Road.

However after campaigning from shopkeepers, MP Graham Jones and Oswaldtwistle county councillor Peter Britcliffe, traffic warden patrols have now been implemented.

Lancashire County Council said it sent a traffic enforcement officer to the site after receiving a ‘number of complaints’ about cars parking in one hour limited bays.

Graham Bennett, from Bennett and Co Accountants in Union Road, said: “The warden’s visit has made a dramatic improvement, my clients can now stop outside to drop off and collect their records.

“He managed to ticket three or four cars before he was spotted and then it was like rats leaving a sinking ship.

“The habitual offenders rushed out to move their cars before the warden could ticket them, shame he missed the worst culprits. I’m keeping fingers crossed it continues.”

Mr Bennett previously said customers had issues with cars parking ‘for hours’ in a one-hour parking zone, forcing clients to have to walk from a distance.

The Lancashire Telegraph reported in January people had been calling for Lancashire County Council to fix ‘horrendous’ parking problems on the road.

Oswaldtwistle County Cllr Peter Britcliffe said the area previously had a ‘number of problems’ getting parking officers in.

He said: “I’m delighted that we’ve got a change of heart from the county council because we’ve had a lot of problems getting traffic wardens in Oswaldtwistle.

“I’m delighted action has finally been taken and hopefully it will prevent the problem reoccurring.”

County Council bosses said ‘further enforcement’ will be carried out to ensure restrictions are met.

Mandy White, senior parking and enforcement officer, said: “We directed an enforcement officer to visit Union Road after receiving a number of complaints about people parking for longer than allowed in the one hour limited waiting bays.

“A number of vehicles were found to be parked illegally and were issued with penalty notices.

“Officers will be carrying out further enforcement to ensure that drivers observe parking restrictions.”