HOPES residents-only parking will be introduced in a residential road are likely to be dashed.

People in Radford Street, Darwen, petitioned for residents-only parking, saying they could not park outside their homes because spaces were taken up by workers at nearby India Mill.

A petition with 48 signatures of residents in Radford Street, Noble Street and Hilton Road, has been submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council.

But officers are recommending Thursday’s meeting of the planning committee, to reject the request.

They also say council officers should be given time to consider alternative options.

A report to the council points out there is unrestricted parking in front of properties occupied by the petitioners and a free unrestricted car park in Radford Street with capacity for six cars.

The report adds: “There have been complaints about India Mill employees parking in the area and there have been reports of damage to parked vehicles.”

It said that when officers visited the street, it was not fully occupied by parked cars and that availability of nearby parking space for petitioners appeared to be reasonable, though there may be occasions when demand is higher .

“On the basis of recent observations, the council’s criteria for residents’ only parking would not be met,” the report concludes.

Marsh House councillor Brian Taylor, who works for Capita TV Licensing at India Mill, said: “There is a problem because so many people work at India Mill. When it aggravates the neighbours that is a worry. It is a difficult one because you don’t want to upset the neighbours but there will be a cost involved.

“We have suggested a car sharing scheme among staff, but it is in the early stages.”

Whitehall councillor Karimeh Foster said: “I don’t see any other way to get rid of the problem than residents’-only parking.

“The voices of residents should be listened to, not ignored.”