MORE than 400 motorists have been hit with fines since new rules to tackle poor parking were introduced three months ago.

Since October, Lancashire County Council has been exercising new powers, targeting people who park more than 50cm away from the kerb or obstruct kerbs.

Between October 15 and January 1, 437 motorists have been issued with penalty charge notices, which stand at £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.

The new rules also target vehicles parked on dropped kerbs which are provided to help wheelchair users and those with mobility vehicles or prams to get around easily and safely.

County Coun Tim Ashton, cabinet member for highways, said: “It’s about combating double parking in narrow streets where emergency services struggle to get through.

“It has happened in my town where an ambulance couldn’t get to sheltered accommodation. Thankfully on that occasion, it was not an emergency.

“We want to make sure traffic moves freely, especially in towns and cities.

“But also, it’s about stopping people parking in front of dropped kerbs.

“We don’t want barriers put in front of people with disabilities, who rely on a wheelchair or mobility scooter, so they have no way of crossing the road.”

During the first two weeks of October, when the new rules were trialled, 45 people received warnings about poor or inconsiderate parking.

The remainder of the month saw 20 motorists given penalty charge notices, followed by 199 in November and 218 in December.

The figure usually represents around five per cent of all penalty charge notices issued by the county council.