A ROW over parking bays in Bolton has cost the council £90,000.

And the bulk of the cash has been spent since parking campaigner, Barry Moss, launched a one-man battle against "unlawful" road markings across the borough.

A full meeting of Bolton Council was told that officer time alone has cost £30,000, while £3,000 has been spent on legal advice.

The council has also spent £37,000 removing lines found to be non-compliant with parking laws and repainting them.

Some of this work was in the pipeline before Mr Moss became involved, but was moved forward once discrepancies were highlighted.

Executive member for the environment, Cllr Nick Peel, said: "Some of these bays were for disabled drivers or for loading. Because the lines were non-compliant, anybody could have used to bays without redress, neglecting the needs of the people for whom they were designed, so we moved work forward.

"Dealing with the allegations of incorrect markings has not delayed the implementation of any capital projects, however the diversion of resources into dealing with the matter has led to delays in other areas such as the promotion of traffic orders.

"The diversion of staff from Highways and engineering and delivery services staff has resulted in a slight delay in the implementation of some street lighting works."

Mr Moss has lodged dozens of questions and queries under the Freedom of Information Act with the council, regarding parking bays and markings across the borough.He claims they are illegal, and do not comply with the regulations from the Department for Transport and were illegal. Most of Mr Moss' complaints refer to the dimensions of bays and the white lines which mark them out.

Speaking to fellow councillors at the meeting, Liberal Democrat councillor Roger Hayes said that Mr Moss had a right to make his point, but said the cost and the distraction of council officers could lead to other more important projects being delayed around the town.

"If I had been him I would have pursued it in a different way. It has taken up an awful lot of officer time and it will delay schemes, some of which may be in my ward."

Conservative councillor Colin Shaw said he did not believe the council had ever meant to deceive anyone, adding: "It's regrettable, but if things are wrong we have to put them right, it's as simple as that."

Mr Moss has pledged to continue his crusade saying: "It's money wasted because the lines are still wrong and they would still not stand up to scrutiny. It's not taxpayers money. Parking services cash is ring-fenced. Bolton Council has taken £6.5million off motorists and a large amount of that was unlawfully taken.

"I want justice for those people, and until it comes my campaign shall go on."