COUNCILLORS say they pushed for double yellow lines to be painted on a congested Farnworth street — only for Bolton Council to bow to pressure from a Jaguar dealership.

The busy junction of Bentley Street with Bolton Road has been branded "mad" by road users.

Cars are parked just 15 metres from the junction — the minimum required by law — but the road is too narrow to accommodate two lines of traffic, causing delays at rush hour.

Cllr Jean Gillies said all three ward members were in favour of siting double yellow lines all the way down Bentley Street when the plans were put forward in 2012.

But the Jaguar garage opposite — then run by Stratstone — objected.

A planning report said: "Jaguar states that waiting restrictions will prevent parking, by their customers on the road adjacent to their premise which in turn will have a detrimental effect on the trade of the business.

"Jaguar states that their staff would be forced to park further away from the premises and this raises concerns about staff safety when walking to and from their own vehicles.

"Jaguar is also concerned that in today’s economic climate that there may be implications for the dealership to re-locate or even close altogether.

"Jaguar proposes that waiting restrictions are needed at the junction of Bentley St and Bolton Road for the first three car lengths on each side."

Bolton Council gave in to the demands, with the report not listing any objections from members of the public.

Cllr Gillies, for Farnworth, said: "We wanted to extend it all the way down to Spring Street but that was taken out because of the objections from the garage.

"I have asked the council to look at it again because it is crazy.

"We were behind the original plan 100 per cent but because of the objections it was changed, which I am not happy about at all.

"I want to reassure residents that we did want the lines down there but the garage objected."

Denise Bridgford, who lives in Farnworth, said she has nearly been hit three times driving up Bentley Street and described the situation as "mad".

A spokesman for the dealership — now run by Farnell — said it would not be appropriate for them to comment on the concerns.

Stratstone was unavailable for comment.