ELDERLY and disabled residents of a street behind a leisure centre are ‘sick to death’ over thoughtless users parking along their road.

They are angry neither Pendle Wavelengths bosses or Lancashire County Council have acted to tackle drivers who have clogged up Victory Close in Nelson for two years.

Resident Tony Hayes, chief executive of the Veterans Association UK, said he and other householders had been threatened by car owners when they had complained.

He raised a 35-signature petition calling for the county council to put down double yellow lines which was rejected.

The 66-year-old said: “We are absolutely sick to death of the ignorance and arrogance of these drivers.

“A number of them have made threats to us for confronting them.

“If an ambulance or fire engine tried to enter Victory Close they would not be able to because of parked cars, putting elderly and disabled residents in danger.

“We approached the management of Wavelengths but they had no interest. This really needs to be sorted with action by the county council and the leisure centre.”

Alison Goode, chief executive of Pendle Leisure Trust, said: “We have been experiencing issues with people using Pendle Wavelengths car park who are visiting Nelson to shop. Therefore, our visitors are having to find other places to park, including the highway. We are currently in the process of installing a pay and display machine. Hopefully this will deter non-users from the car park.”

A county council spokesman said: “The site did not meet the criteria for new waiting restrictions which are prioritised towards locations where there is a poor safety record.”

Nelson West County Cllr Mohammed Iqbal said: “I stand with residents on this issue. I urge the county council to reconsider.”

He added: “It is a few thoughtless car owners who cannot be bothered to park in nearby car parks but choose to upset Victory Close’s elderly and disabled residents.”

The county council spokesman said: “It was agreed to refresh the ‘H’ bar markings on the dropped kerbs. The police have powers to deal with obstruction of highways.”