Steps are being taken to tackle issues involving delivery drivers in a street in Barrow town centre.
Reports have been made to the borough council of Uber Eats drivers parking on double yellow lines in Crellin Street and fighting among themselves.
“I have had people call me and members mention that people feel intimidated as they are walking past the Uber drivers,” said Cllr Martin McLeavy.
“And I must admit I have walked past and felt a little bit intimidated, maybe it’s just because of the amount of drivers.”
Cllr McLeavy said he had heard reports from members of the public and other councillors of fights breaking out among the food delivery staff.
These issues come on top of the well-documented problems with parking on double yellow lines along the stretch.
“I understand – again from other members – that fines have been issued to drivers who have ripped them up and thrown them away,” said Cllr McLeavy.
At a meeting of Barrow Borough Council’s overview and scrutiny committee – chaired by Cllr McLeavy – on Thursday, it was agreed a working group of five borough councillors would be set up to discuss the issues. The chairman of this working group is to be Cllr Bill McEwan.
“They park at the top of Crellin Street by McDonald’s so they can go in and get the orders,” Cllr McEwan said.
“They don’t abide to the double yellow lines, they are taking up room and space. It just causes big problems to the residents, shopkeepers and everyone involved. They get ticketed and they don’t seem to bother about the tickets.”
Cllr McEwan said Uber drivers’ vehicles had been obstructing delivery wagons and other cars.
Cllr McEwan, who is also a county councillor, said ‘several meetings’ had been held at county level in order to try and address the issue.
“We are taking it through cabinet with the county council at the moment,” he said.
The new working group is a means of bringing the borough council into the fold when it comes to dealing with the problem.
The group will meet to discuss ways of tackling the situation and then present a report to a future overview and scrutiny committee meeting.
Last month, it was revealed the county council had plans to help reduce traffic chaos in Crellin Street that included introducing a new parking bay in nearby Preston Street.
The changes were due to be put to the public as part of a consultation, but no date for their introduction was announced.
