TRAFFIC chiefs are to consider relaxing parking restrictions on Market Street.

The move follows a number of incidents where people visiting Bury College in the evening have received parking tickets for leaving their cars in the 100-metre stretch of road reserved for coaches.

Although the parking bay is heavily used by coaches, particularly on market days, there is little or no demand in the evenings.

One motorist who was issued with a parking fine was Mrs Karen Smith (40) of Railway Street, Heywood. She visited the college earlier this month to attend one of its open evenings, but was angry to discover a ticket on her windscreen when she returned to her car.

"I'm not against restrictions where they prevent problems with traffic, but Market Street is very wide and there's no need to reserve that space for coaches in the evenings."

She added: "Although the word 'Coaches' is painted on the road, you don't really notice it when it's dark and there is no upright sign warning you of the restrictions near to the college entrance.

"I've paid my £30 fine only because I don't want to end up having to pay £60 if I delay, but I have written to Bury Council explaining the circumstances in the hope that I will be reimbursed."

A spokesman for Bury Council said traffic manager Ian Lord has written to Bury College, proposing to reduce the coach-only parking bay from 24 hour to working days restrictions to avoid such problems occurring in the future.

He said: "This proposal is going through the formal statutory processes. Bury College is fully aware of this process and the timescales involved. Indeed, Mr Lord met with Helen Gilchrist, the college principal, about this matter immediately after the open evening for an update on progress."