A BUS driver was fined for spending a penny, heard a meeting of West Craven councillors.

Councillors said it was ridiculous that the driver of the town bus was penalised after he parked in a bus clearway in Station Road, Barnoldswick to use the facilities in the Civic Hall across the road, and agreed to complain to Lancashire County Council in the strongest possible terms.

Cllr David Whipp, chair of the West Craven Committee of Pendle Council, said he had been contacted by the Pilkington Bus company after one of its drivers had received a penalty charge notice (PCN) after he had left his vehicle in the bus clearway outside Barlick Raj Balti and  despite there being no risk of his actions stopping other buses from stopping there because there is 'ample space'.

He told Tuesday's meeting at the Rainhall Centre, Barnoldswck: "It's not right that bus drivers are expected to cross their legs when they want to go for a pee; we can't expect them to have to wait until they return to the bus depot at Accrington in order to go to the loo; I think Lancashire County Council is being totally unreasonable. We should support our bus service operators and drivers and say they should be allowed to stop on the bus clearway markings to stop to use the loo."

Cllr Whipp, who said it was a situation he wouldn't be surprised to see on BBC quiz show Have I Got News for You, told the meeting that Transdev bus drivers similarly park in the bus layby in Fernlea Avenue when they want to use the public toilets in the Wellhouse Road car park, and as far as he knew, none of them had received tickets.

In response, Councillor Rupert Swarbrick, cabinet member for Highways and Transport, Lancashire County Council, told the Craven Herald: "By law, buses are allowed to stop in a bus stop clearway for a maximum of two minutes to maintain a scheduled service.

"Bus stop clearways are clearly marked with yellow road markings and bus drivers should be aware of the restrictions for parking there.

"While we appreciate the challenges bus drivers face, the rules are there for a reason and if they are broken then appropriate enforcement action should be taken.

"Toilet facilities are available at our various bus stations and depots across the county, which drivers can use throughout the day."