BUSINESS leaders and traders in Bolton claim that the council's get-tough policy on parking has driven thousands of shoppers away.

It is so bad, they say, that people have had to abandon their shopping and run back to their cars because they fear the wardens are waiting to swoop.

Disabled people have been booked, but say their badges were on display, people report attendants waiting by their cars and one man even claimed he had his funeral hearse booked. But this is strenuously denied by the councillor in charge of parking, Michael Kilcoyne.

Parking wardens are not overzealous, he said, but they are not allowed to pass a car parked illegally and not take action. Discretion is not allowed and this also removes any scope for corruption.

"People ought to estimate properly how long they have to shop. I can't disclose the time allowed, but they will not get a ticket for being a minute over."

Bolton Council is now looking at switching all car parks to pay on exit to remove the time-over problem. It is also reviewing where double lines should be placed in the town.

"It is quite an expensive set up and we are working with the private sector," said Cllr Kilcoyne.

But with the threat of out-of-town shopping ever looming, many traders are worried that the attraction of hassle-free, cost-free parking is driving once loyal shoppers away.

Andrew Dickson, president of Bolton and Bury Chamber of Commerce, said businesses are under threat and parking wardens should have more of an ambassador role.

"We should be working together to make Bolton a better place," he said. "The parking situation is in total contradiction to what everyone else is doing to promote Bolton.

"People who traditionally shop in Bolton have a whole shopping experience. They know the shops, the cafes. They know where to go and meet people. It's a social outing.

"They are very loyal and spend money every time. But it only takes one thing to knock them, such as getting a ticket and they go and shop somewhere else.

"Illegal parking can never be condoned, but the policy just seems to be crazy.

"If someone is a less than five minutes late they should not find a fine on their car. The wardens should have the power to listen to extenuating circumstances and be in a position to waive it.

"The council has to keep to its budget, I understand that, but it's driving visitors and residents out of town and affecting all the traders."