A ‘height restrictor’ aimed at stopping Travellers from setting up camp in a Teesdale village will pay for itself.
That’s the view of Startforth Parish Council, which has asked Durham County Council to fund the initiative.
The parish council has requested a height restrictor to be installed at the entrance to the Ullathorne Mill recreation area close to County Bridge.
The latest meeting of Startforth Parish Council was told that the height restrictor will cost £1,090 or, alternatively, £1,390 for a galvanised version.
The members made the case that the cost would soon be recouped by the county council from not having to spend money cleaning the site after it had been used by travellers.
Temporary bollards restricting access to the Ullathorne Mill recreational area can be erected ahead of Appleby Horse Fair season but this year several travellers arrived ahead of schedule and set up camp.
Also, bollards restrict legitimate users from accessing the area while they are in place.
An adjustable height restrictor could, however, be positioned to restrict all vehicles except cars on a temporary basis.
Cllr Jill Campbell, who is Durham County Council’s representative for lower Teesdale, attended the meeting at Startforth Community Centre.
She agreed to ask the county council to fund the height restrictor on behalf of the parish council.
