A Carlisle decorator has criticised county council parking officers - after he was threatened with a ticket while helping flood victims move back into their homes.

John Quinn has been working at properties on Warwick Road, where some residents are still out of their homes more than 12 months after Storm Desmond hit.

However he said he was stunned when he was told he could only leave his van parked outside - with a disc permit on display - for a maximum of two hours.

In the wake of the floods, firms carrying out repairs had been exempt from parking restrictions while work was taking place, but the rule has since been revoked by Cumbria County Council.

“A traffic warden said that it’d expired and that we now need permits to park there,” John, who is self-employed, told the News & Star. “He said it was only for 12 months and now that’s up, we need permits to be there for more than two hours.

“We can only get in when people are ready. We’re one of the last people, after us, it’s only really the carpet fitters who have to be there.”

John said that both he and other tradesmen working on Warwick Road and the surrounding areas are having to frequently move their vans.

“We can park on Warwick Road for two hours, then Broad Street for another two and then we’re having to move to Petteril Street,” he said.

“When we’re on Petteril Street it can be a 20-minute walk to the van as well.

“We can’t move back on to Warwick Road because we’ve been told we’ll get a ticket.

John said that he has been told he would need a new permit for every house he visits. “I’ve been told I can do it online, but I haven’t got a computer so have to go to my daughter’s house.

“I can do it in the post but it takes four days or so to come. We have to do that for every house we visit. I’m wasting customers’ time doing it.

“We’re just trying to help people to get back in their homes as soon as possible.”

However a spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: “Following the December 2015 floods, Cumbria County Council amended and relaxed a number of the rules in relation to resident and contractor parking in flood affected areas, to try and help those who were impacted by the flooding.

“These changes have included transferable virtual permits for householders who have unfortunately had to move out of their homes from one parking zone to another, and a relaxation on the charges for contractor parking permits and this flexibility still continues.

“Circumstances do differ depending on the location and type of work being undertaken and we would ask any businesses requiring flexibility to contact our parking services team on 0300 3032992 or parking@cumbria.gov.uk.”