THE owners of a shop have called for county hall bosses to clamp down on drivers parking on double yellow lines.

Marie Batty and George Batty, owners of the Bat-House Emporium in Rigby Street, Nelson, said that motorists are regularly parking on the lines outside their shop.

But the couple claim that traffic wardens are not doing enough and called for council chiefs to clamp down on the issue.

Mrs Batty, 51, said: “This has been a problem for more than a year now.

“You get people parking on the double yellow lines on Rigby Street, as our shop is right on the corner and its fronts onto Manchester Road.

“We’ve raised the issue with the county council but they’re not doing enough to sort it.

“You get people getting away without a fine as there aren’t enough wardens to enforce them.”

The law states that people must not wait or park on yellow lines during the times of operation shown on nearby signs.

Double yellow lines indicate a prohibition of waiting at any time even if there are no upright signs.

A double yellow line parking fine is usually £70 and if paid within 14 days, is reduced by 50 per cent.

Mrs Batty opened the gift shop with her husband two years ago after they had previously spent two years at Nelson market.

The shop sells various items including dreamcatchers and gothic t-shirts.

Mrs Batty added: “We need more wardens as it’s causing problems for our business with how clogged up the street becomes.

“We also have had separate issues with homeless people begging near to our shop and also people dealing drugs.

“Something needs to be done.”

Lancashire County Council said it will take enforcement action against anyone who is illegally parked in the area.

A spokesman added: “We’re looking into this issue. Our parking officers will visit Rigby Street to monitor the double yellow lines outside the Bat-House Emporium.”