IRATE residents are joining forces to force selfish motorists to change their parking habits.

A public meeting has been organised to debate possible solutions to the problems in the Sandringham Road area of Darwen.

The move follows complaints by householders about employees from Akzo Nobel Decorative Coating using side streets as a car park, the area being used as a 'rat run' and lorries using the streets as an entrance to the factory.

The meeting will take place at 7.30pm tonight at the Akzo Nobel Sports and Social Club in Anchor Road.

People who attend will be given the chance to make their views known to council traffic officers.

Ward councillor Simon Danczuk said: "Residents and I have been pressing for something to be done about this problem for three years and still the chaos continues."

The company has been informed about the meeting and managers have agreed to meet with three residents and ward councillor to discuss the situation.

A petition signed by 38 residents of the area has already been lodged with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. Photographs of double and dangerous parking have been taken to support the claims.

Residents are calling on the council to introduce residents only parking in their area.

Coun Danczuk added: "There is an onus on the firm to ensure they disrupt their neighbours as little as possible.

"If they have adequate parking space within the factory grounds, they must do all they can to get employees to use it.

"I've heard examples of cars being bumped, arguments flaring and emergency services having difficulty getting through."

An investigation into the complaints is being carried out by the council and the findings will be presented to the Highways and Transportation Committee on Thursday.

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