Part of Preston City Centre was brought to a standstill today by thoughtless van drivers enjoying Tuesdays car boot sale.

Traffic, including many heavy goods vehicles, taxis and cars blocked all of Market Street and backed up to the corner of Church Street and Fishergate.

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HGV’s delivering to city centre stores making their way down Market Street found they were unable to turn into Earl Street due to white vans and cars parked haphazardly on the corner of the road.

A huge Marks & Spencer delivery lorry was unable to make the sharp 90 degree turn into Earl Street due to a van double parked on the corner

Bystanders wearily commented that this seemed to be a regular occurrence while the ever popular Preston car boot sale took place (Tuesday and Thursday) under the historic Covered Market in Earl Street. They mentioned that stall holders with vans often parked up close to the market disregarding any parking restrictions.

A parking enforcement officer later appeared on the scene trying to find out who had left the offending vehicles blocking access and to get them moving. They eventually did to the great relief of delayed and visibly fuming motorists caught in the blockage.

Preston Council say there are no specific parking facilities for market traders. On road parking around the market is normally designated for disabled drivers between the hours of 10.30 am and 3.30 p.m.

Were you caught in the lunchtime traffic jam today? let us know in the comments below