DIRECTORS of a dale auction mart say they are unable to offer access to their facilities to help alleviate Middleton-in-Teesdale’s parking woes.
Middleton-in-Teesdale and Newbiggin Parish Council had hoped directors of the village’s auction mart would strike a deal to allow the use of their car park to help solve some of the issues with parking.
However, at their latest meeting clerk Judith Mashiter told members she had received a letter from the chairman of the mart, saying he could not help.
In a letter to the parish council he said: “After long and in-depth discussions, we are unable to offer parking facilities at the mart. This is mainly due to not being able to secure the mart’s buildings.
“The possibility of someone being hurt and or causing damage to our property is a too greater risk to take and our insurance will not cover this situation.
“I know that you will be disappointed but we hope that you can understand our situation.”
Cllr Adrian Carroll said the parking working group had met to discuss various options.
He said: “We discussed putting in additional signage at the car park detailing where the club car park is located.”
He added the group are still investigating the possibility of purchasing land off Bridge Street, that was subject to a planning application several years ago.
Cllr Carroll said: “I spoke to Mark Hutchinson about Bridge Street but he was reluctant to spend. Judith has offered to get a copy of the application.”
“Bridge Street will probably be better than the mart. The benefit of it is you could put a car charging point in there.”
Ms Mashiter said: “Other marts do allow public parking and let’s see how they do it.”
The working group already have plans to speak with Kirkby Stephen Auction Mart to ascertain how they are able to provide parking to the general public outside of their operational days in a bid to reopen a discussion with Middleton’s mart.
