ANGER over Carnforth's parking "free-for-all" was voiced at a public meeting, says the town's Labour party.

The gathering heard of residents unable to park near their own homes because of cars left by shoppers and train users; a woman having to venture into the road in her wheelchair at Market Street because of cars parked on pavements; and a local undertaker who was "too often" unable to carry bodies to hearses "with due dignity".

Twenty-six people including townsfolk, business owners and town councillors attended the meeting chaired by Lancaster city councillor John Reynolds, at the Railway Club.

Carnforth Labour's chair Roger Clough said "key dilemmas" raised at the gathering included:

- "high parking charges" at Carnforth railway station, which meant its car park was "often half empty"

- residents being blocked in by people parking to collect post from the sorting office

- and areas where doubled parking and cars parked on pavements created "real dangers".

Prof Clough said the meeting resulted in an action plan with three key proposals:

- a scheme where no parking would be allowed on town centre streets between 12pm and 1pm, except for residents, thus stopping the use of the streets for day-long parking but allowing short-term shopping

- pressure to be put on councils and the police to mount a campaign enforcing parking regulations

- and signage to highlight parking locations in Carnforth and to alert everyone to the dangers of "thoughtless parking".

Cllr Reynolds said it was time for action and he was committed to pursuing a solution.