OFFICIALS have issued 149 enforcement notices to motorists who left vehicles on the side of the road near an upper Teesdale beauty spot since parking restrictions were introduced in lockdown.
A freedom of information request by Middleton-in-Teesdale and Newbiggin Parish Council revealed the total number of parking charge notices issued by Durham County Council to vehicles in contravention of the no waiting restrictions on the B6277.
The double yellow lines were initially introduced in June 2020 as a temporary measure after more than 200 cars parked on both sides of the road near Bowlees, preventing emergency vehicles attending an accident. Fearing the situation could be repeated, Durham County Council, the police, Raby Estates and Strathmore Estates came up with the plan.
An application to make the double yellow lines permanent was made by the county council last month.
However, the parish council feared the restrictions were not deterring motorists due to a lack of enforcement by Durham County Council, so members submitted the freedom of information request. As well as details on the number of tickets issued, they asked for a month-by-month breakdown and money received.
The 149 parking notices generated £5,215. July last year saw the highest number of tickets issued with 50 motorists being fined, an increase of 32 on July 2020. Only one motorist has successfully appealed a notice.
