RESIDENTS fear that Clitheroe is on the verge of traffic chaos if council-appointed traffic wardens prevent them parking outside their homes.

Nearly 100 people living in Clitheroe town centre have written to Ribble Valley Council and Lancashire County Council appealing for a residents' parking scheme to be launched.

The streets around Church Street and Church Brow are designated as 'limited waiting' and drivers are not allowed to park for more than an hour.

Up until now, residents say the police have turned a blind eye to letting them park in the special bays which line the streets outside their homes.

But when control of on-street parking regulations pass to Ribble Valley Council in September, locals have been warned they will have to stick to the rules or face a £60 fine.

Now residents living in York Street, Well Terrace, Church Brow, Church Street, Brennand Street, Railway View Road and St Mary's Street want residents' parking to prevent chaos.

Tony Cross, from Church Street, Clitheroe, said: "Residents will be forced to look to roads which are already troubled by all-day parkers who refuse to use car parks."

At the moment, people can park in the restricted bays for one hour in every three between 8am and 6pm Monday to Saturday. At all other times, parking is derestricted.

The petition sent to Lancashire County Council - which has final say on residents' parking schemes - was completed in just hours, Mr Cross said, with residents in Whalley Road, Pimlico, Albion Street and Wellgate yet to sign up.

Graham Jagger, engineering manager at Ribble Valley Council, said: "If residents comply with the rules, they will not be fined. There are car parks which can be used."

A spokesman for LCC confirmed receipt of the petition, which is now being investigated.