RESIDENTS on Westhoughton's busiest road could face parking restrictions in a bid to clamp down on illegal car traders.

Council highways bosses are considering imposing waiting restrictions to stop salesmen selling cars illegally on the A6 Manchester Road in Wingates.

Residents have complained that unofficial sales operations have led to overcrowding on the road, leaving them without parking places.

Traders have been avoiding action by police and council officers by using different telephone numbers when advertising the sale of cars.

Cars which belong to individual sellers can be legally parked anywhere, providing that there are no parking restrictions.

A council spokesman said that residents could not avoid being affected by any new restrictions.

He said: "The law is very unclear. But if the vehicles are taxed and insured there is little that can be done.

"One thing we are looking at is imposing waiting restrictions.

"But obviously if that were the case, it would have to apply to residents in local premises as well.

"We will involve them in a consultation exercise to see what is the best solution."