ONLY months after £90,000 of roadworks were completed in Barnard Castle, county officials have come under fire after a resident caught one of their vehicles illegally parked and causing an obstruction.
Residents and business owners in Barnard Castle endured seven weeks of traffic chaos during the summer when Durham County Council narrowed the road either side of a pedestrian crossing in Horsemarket.
The scheme aimed to deter drivers who regularly park on the zig zag lines.
However, one eagle-eyed resident, who lives and works in Horsemarket, spotted one of Durham County Council’s works vehicles parked on the zig zags last week.
He said: “I couldn’t believe it. He pulled up and the young lad jumped out and went into Greggs. This work was suppose to stop that happening. The problem is now with the road being narrow, it’s more dangerous.
“It’s not the first time I’ve seen vehicles parked there and I doubt it will be the last. Given how much it cost the council it would have been cheaper and safer to have relocated Greggs.”
John Reed, Durham County Council’s head of technical services, said: “We would like to apologise for any inconvenience that has been caused.
“We are now investigating this incident and will take the appropriate action.”
