Business owners on Steeley Lane say they have been forced out of their parking spots because strict parking rules mean there are only a handful of spaces left for shoppers and shop owners in the area.

They have called on Chorley Council to introduce special parking permits to alleviate the problem because they struggle to park close to their premises.

In 2006, Chorley Council banned motorists from leaving their cars and double yellow lines were painted on Houghton Street, Sandham Street, Edward Street and Lord Street, off Steeley Lane.

The lines were introduced to stop rail commuters leaving their cars outside businesses and blocking access for deliveries, with some using an unofficial car park near Hoghton Street.

Barber Peter Anderson has called on the council to sort out the problem because he claims its having a knock-on effect on business.

Mr Anderson, who counts Corrie actor Ken Morley and comedian Dave Spikey among his customers, said: "It is a big problem because some of my customers have to jump up out of the chair and move their car when I'm cutting their hair because the parking situation is so bad.

"Parking restrictions and double yellow lines exist in every town but to squeeze shop owners out of the spaces so they can't even close anywhere close to their business is ridiculous.

"Now there's hardly anywhere to park around here and you need to get here very early to get a space.

"We need some sort of special parking permit to make it better because it's causing havoc for shoppers as well as traders."
Ishbel Murray, Chorley Council's corporate Director (neighbourhoods), said: "Parking in the Steeley Lane area I can issue we have been working to resolve.

"We have held meetings with residents and businesses and a lot of excellent ideas were put forward.

"The general feeling was that people didn't want restrictions on the car park off Houghton Street because this would impact upon residents and businesses who would have to pay to park there.

"Other ideas to alleviate the parking problem are being progressed and should be in place soon.

"Once these are completed we will continue to monitor the area and we can then see if anything more needs to be done."