Businesses are furious after double yellow lines were painted outside their premises.

The shops, including two butchers, cafés and a cake shop, regularly have delivery vans unload on single yellow lines. But now, solid double yellows have replaced the old markings, preventing any parking or stopping along the length of Otley Street, Skipton.

They came after contractors for North Yorkshire County Council mistakenly painted double yellow lines across the junction of Otley Street – which are now to be removed.

A council spokesman said the repainting of lines across the county was taking place in preparation for the council taking over responsibility for parking enforcement from the police at the end of next month.

He said double yellow lines had been painted in Otley Street to enforce existing no waiting signs, but businesses would still be able to make deliveries.

But Paul Watson, owner of The Coffee Mill and Fanticy Cakes, said double yellow lines to anyone who drove meant no parking at any time.

A council spokesman said: “In the case of Otley Street, double yellow line road markings have been installed to achieve consistency with the existing ‘no waiting at anytime’ traffic regulation order as the road is so narrow it is easily obstructed by parked vehicles.

“Vehicles are still allowed to load and unload on Otley Street and highways officers will be contacting traders to reassure them that deliveries are unaffected.”

The spokesman added that the lines across the junction of Otley Street with High Street were a mistake by the contractor and would be put right.