Police will not patrol McDonald's right turn restriction in Morecambe

Residents of the Hadrian Road estate in the White Lund area of Morecambe have reported increasing numbers of motorists pulling up in cul-de-sacs to eat meals purchased from the fast food chain’s drive-thru.

The problem has worsened since the road layout in the area was redesigned when the Bay Gateway opened three years ago.

No right turn signs were put in place at the time to prevent drivers leaving McDonald’s from being able to enter the estate – but they were not backed up by an official traffic order which would have allowed action to be taken against anybody caught breaching the restriction.

Lancashire County Council’s cabinet has now implemented that order – but Lancashire Constabulary has told the authority that it will still not be enforcing the regulation. The force says that there is no road safety risk as a result of the practice which the council is trying to prevent.

Cabinet member for highways, Keith Iddon, said that he would be contacting the police to ask them to reconsider.

County Coun Charlie Edwards, who represents the Morecambe South division on the authority, said that he was “disappointed” by the response of the force.

“This has been driving residents crazy for years, because people are basically extending the McDonald’s car park onto residential roads in the area.

“It seems a particularly popular thing for young people to do, maybe those who have only recently passed their test – they will go and get some food and then hang out with their mates.

“We’re trying to work with the police on a range of issues, so it’s disappointing if they are not willing to honour their side of the bargain on this one,” County Coun Edwards said.

Lancashire Constabulary said that the issue would be better tackled with yellow line parking restrictions on the Hadrian Road estate, which the county council would be charged with patrolling. But papers presented to cabinet members said that such a measure would cause further inconvenience to residents wanting to park outside their own homes.

The traffic order also introduces a “no driving except for access” restriction on the full lengths of Ermine Place, Foss Court, Pilgrims Way, Ryknild Way Watling Close, Akeman Close and part of Hadrian Road.

Separately, Lancashire County Council announced its intention to introduce parking restrictions on part of the Bay Gateway itself, where HGVs are also parking up.

Lancashire Constabulary was approached for comment.