BARROW Island residents fear motorists will ‘run amok’ with no parking wardens policing the streets during the coronavirus lockdown.

For more than a decade shipyard employees and residents have fought over Barrow Island’s on-street parking spaces.

BAE Systems is currently building a new multi-storey car park in Buccleuch Dock Road to create around 400 spaces.

Between 2015 and 2017 1,499 fixed penalty notices were issued to cars on Barrow Island - two a day on average.

Cumbria County Council, which is responsible for policing on-street parking, has confirmed parking enforcement may not take place because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Councillor Keith Little, the council’s cabinet member for transport and highways, said: “The county council has suspended their on and off street parking enforcement. However, in accordance with government guidance, organised patrols and enforcement of particular areas may still take place as and when required if issues occur.

“As such, the council is reminding all drivers to ensure that their vehicle is parked safely and legally at all times.

“The council has also suspended parking charges on their car parks, to reflect the government guidance to enable key staff to park for free, also due to the significantly reduced numbers of users, and the lack of enforcement been carried out.

“These decisions have not been taken lightly, given the importance of the services, however, this is an unprecedented situation and the health, safety and wellbeing of council staff, their families, customers, and local communities has to be the number one priority.

“In the meantime, our parking enforcement team are assisting with the community hubs in transporting foods and equipment to vulnerable people in the community.”

One Farm Street resident said: “Even when the parking wardens are around it doesn’t stop people leaving their cars wherever they want so it’s just going to be a free for all if they know there’s no risk of getting a ticket.”