POSTAL workers in Barrhead are being hindered by an abandoned car.

Staff at Barrhead Post Office say the vehicle, which has been left outside the front of the Cross Arthurlie Street business for the last two months, is obstructing their operation.

Despite raising the issue on several occasions with police and the local authority, Post Office workers claim they have been offered little help to have the black Vauxhall Astra removed.

Postmaster Michael Pegg, who has worked at Barrhead Post Office for 15 years, told the News the car’s constant presence is preventing parcel lorries and potential customers from parking outside.

He said: “This thing has been parked outside the front of my Post Office for about two months now. None of our cash or parcel lorries can park in the bay, which has a 90-minute maximum waiting time.

“Apparently, this car can stay there forever, according to the police and environmental health. We’ve asked to get it taken away.

“The parking attendants said all they can do is put a ticket on after 90 minutes.

“There used to be a single yellow line that stopped people parking but then they put the lay-by in and didn’t have any restrictions, so we complained to the council.

“Now they’ve got an hour-and-a-half restriction and that’s been in place for six months at least.”

Although they were able to check online to confirm the car is no longer taxed, Post Office staff have no idea who the owner is.

Describing the vehicle, Mr Pegg added: “It’s got a bash at the front, as if it’s been in an accident, and a spare tyre in the back and a baby seat in the front.

“The tax is out of date and it has a parking ticket on it. As long as it has one on it, the parking attendants say they can’t put any more on.”

“I don’t know what the rules and regulations are but, if somebody put a brick through the window, they’d have to uplift it.

“If somebody parks at the bottom, it restricts space to the sorting office. All I’m worried about is that only one car can park outside the post office.”

A spokesman for East Renfrewshire Council said: “The vehicle is not currently classified as abandoned, as it has a valid MOT and there is no significant damage which would potentially endanger anyone coming into contact with it.

“As a result, the council is unable to intervene any further at this time. The DVLA is responsible for clamping and removing untaxed vehicles.”