RESIDENTS who have been demanding action to make it easier to park on their street have been told the work can go ahead - but only if they pay for it themselves.

Lancashire County Council said the cost of widening Ashworth Street in Baxenden would be around £100,000.

And householders have been told that if they want to solve the issue they will have to cough up £3,000 each.

But they are reluctant to pay for the work - meaning parking problems in the street may not be solved.

Just a month ago, residents hit out at police after officers issued tickets to the whole street full of cars in a clampdown on parking on pavements.

Residents were partially parking on the pavement to allow other vehicles to pass comfortably down the narrow street.

But it is illegal to park with any wheels on a public pavement, unless there are signs stating otherwise, prompting the police action.

The clampdown came after a complaint from ambulance drivers after an incident when they could not reach a house because of a car obstructing their access.

After the mass ticketing, residents on Ashworth Street put together a petition which was handed to local councillor John Griffiths, calling on Hyndburn Council to help them find a solution to where they can park their cars.

Coun Griffiths said: "Lancashire County Council has stated that the problem could only be resolved by widening the road on both sides and that would cost in the region of £100,000.

"It is the council's opinion that this cost should be met by the residents as the only benefit of the work would be increased parking provision just for their use."

He said that even if residents agreed to the scheme, it would be "problematic" finding an equitable way of paying for it. Resident Graham Schofield organised the petition.

He said there is no way the residents will pay to have the road widened.

He added: "We understand that people cannot park illegally but there is nowhere else to go.

"We are all very angry and the situation is just making parking in the area a complete nightmare."

Community beat manager PC Clare Wall said she has had no choice but to issue the £30 fixed penalty notices to cars parked illegally.

She added: "In the eyes of the law it is an offence to park on the pavement. We have sent notices to all residents warning them about the issue."