Parking clampdown around Blackburn Rovers games

Residents have complained over parking chaos as 14,000 fans descend on Ewood Park

Parking enforcement near Blackburn Rovers' Ewood Park stadium on matchdays is to be tightened, a council has said.

Local residents have long complained about traffic disruption caused by about 14,000 supporters travelling to and from the ground.

After a pilot scheme, Blackburn with Darwen Council said it would double the number of enforcement officers working evenings and weekends to four.

A report to the authority by the council's environment lead Jim Smith suggested a procurement process to find the new officers.

'Parking contraventions'

He wrote in the report: "The council receives regular complaints from residents about illegal and irresponsible parking taking place during the evening and at the weekend when there are no civil enforcement officers on duty.

"The pilot has been a success, and the parking enforcement team has dealt with significantly more parking contraventions, particularly during the evening and at the weekend.

"Residents have also been thankful for additional parking enforcement during Blackburn Rovers FC home matches."