A BOSS of Britain's biggest bus company is blaming disabled drivers for town centre Traffic chaos.

Mr Trevor Roberts, Operations Director of Stagecoach Ribble, Preston, accuses "indiscriminate and uncontrolled parking of disabled drivers' vehicles" for problems in the centre of Rawtenstall.

Motorists and councillors complained to Stagecoach when the transport giant introduced 'bendy' buses on the service from Burnley to Manchester.

They claimed the articulated buses brought traffic to a standstill on Bank Street at peak times.

But Stagecoach have hit back with a letter which points the finger at disabled drivers.

Mr Roberts wrote to Rossendale Chief Executive Steven Hartley: "The main reason for our drivers experiencing difficulty in leaving Kay Street and entering Bank Street is the indiscriminate and uncontrolled parking of disabled drivers' vehicles." He goes on: "Whilst the disabled drivers are unlikely to be supervised or controlled in any way then it does appear I will have to review the operation of the Manchester service through your borough."

Members of the council's Public Transport Committee complained to Stagecoach after traffic had come to a standstill several times following the introduction of the longer 'bendy' buses.

Traffic builds up at the bottom of Bank Street where two Stagecoach stops - one for buses going to Burnley and one for buses going to Manchester - are alongside each other.

The narrow, 100-yard stretch of road in front of the main shopping centre is probably the busiest in Rawtenstall. There are double yellow lines on the side of the road with the bus stops and single yellow line on the opposite side.

Stagecoach have pledged to investigate alternative routes through Rawtenstall.

Councillors will consider the letter at the next meeting of the Public Transport Committee on Thursday.

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