People living near a rugby club say they are driven mad by inconsiderate parking as some fans leave vehicles in gardens and block drives.

Victoria Thomspon and neighbours on Merlinwood Drive, Baildon, have contacted the police and Bradford Council about the issue which frustrates them most weekends.

The 43-year-old said she has also rung Baildon Rugby Club on match days when there has been a problem. She would like fans to park in the car park in the town centre and walk up to the club.

But Andrew Whitley, Baildon’s chairman of rugby, said he was not aware of any complaint. He said the issue may not be down to rugby fans, but could be spectators of other sports or shoppers.

“We’re a local sports club trying to support the community and we do everything we can. If it is people from the club, or visitors, if she writes us a letter, then we can deal with it,” he said.

Miss Thompson said most weekends people park on double yellow lines on Jenny Lane, from about 11am and leave at about 4pm, and about seven cars are left in Merlinwood Drive – an estate of ten homes.

“They are in rugby gear and we do see them walking along to the rugby club,” she said. “Every Sunday when they have a game there, we have rugby fans parking both sides of the street where double yellow lines are, filling the car park, parking on grass verges and blocking in drives.

“The man at the end of the road had to put up a hedge because somebody parked on his garden.”

Residents now plan their weekends around the parking issues and do not have visitors over because they have nowhere to park.

“They park on our neighbour’s grass verges, there’s tyre marks all over that. They have no consideration,” Miss Thompson, a solicitor, said.

Mr Whitley said the last thing the club wanted was issues with residents.

“If she is having her drive blocked, then we will do something about it,” he added.

A spokesman for Bradford Council said: “We have every sympathy with residents who have been affected by inconsiderate parking in Jenny Lane and Merlinwood Drive, Baildon.

“Our highways and neighbourhood services are consulting on the best way to resolve the issues to the benefit of everyone concerned.”

Inspector Hugh Robinson, who leads the Shipley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said inconsiderate parkers could be fined or taken to court.

“We are working closely with council wardens to address parking issues in the area, especially those close to shops and educational establishments and we ask all motorists to park with consideration and within the law,” he added.

“With the clocks going back this weekend and darker nights ahead, this is even more important for the safety of all road users and children in particular.”