TRADERS are calling for action after claiming the loss of their town's traffic warden has caused parking chaos.

From next April local authorities will take over the issuing of tickets and fines to motorists flouting parking restrictions.

Clitheroe's traffic warden was removed from duty earlier this year in the run up to the changes, with the role taken over by police officers.

But Steven Pietrzak, past president of the Clitheroe Chamber of Commerce and owner of Togged Up on the corner of Wellgate in the town centre, said there had been a parking free-for-all.

He said: "Motorists are ignoring parking restrictions in the town centre and even parking on double yellow lines.

"They know that the traffic warden is no longer on duty and the police are too busy. It is causing a bottleneck of traffic in the town centre and affecting our businesses.

"The new community police officers don't have the jurisdiction to issue parking tickets and the borough council takes over next April, but we can't wait until then for this to be sorted out."

Jean Jackson, of the Lighting Centre in Moor Lane, added: "Motorists are parking all day and causing a nuisance. It is affecting our businesses and has definitely got worse since the traffic warden was withdrawn from duty."

Ribble Valley Council chief engineer Graham Jagger said local authorities in East Lancashire were working hard to implement the decriminalisation of parking as soon as possible.

"Ribble Valley Council is likely to take on responsibility for parking offences in Clitheroe and we are currently discussing the matter with Lancashire County Council.

"We are aware of the difficulties, but several working groups are working hard to get the new system in place by the target date.

"Under the new system, we will employ our own parking wardens, who will be funded from fines. I can assure traders that enforcement will be rigorous, as soon as the new system is up and running."

Sgt Ian Kirk of Clitheroe Police said: "The gap between the redeployment of traffic wardens into other roles and the decriminalisation of parking is having to be filled by local police officers.

"We are aware of particular problems in certain areas and are doing our best to address them until the new system is in place."