Controversial temporary parking restrictions will be reinstated in Barnard Castle next month.
Residents of Bridgegate will be unable to park outside their homes from May 22 to June 25 due to measures aimed at stopping Travellers setting up a base in the street as they head to and from Appleby Horse Fair.
After protesting against similar restrictions in recent years, people living in Bridgegate were hoping they would be issued with permits to allow them to park outside their homes this year.
Those affected can park for free in the Hole In The Wall carpark on Newgate but several residents insist that was not an appropriate solution, particularly for elderly people or parents with young children.
Mark Carter, who lives on Bridgegate, said: “It’s the same thing every year; it’s our homes and they are asking us to park up behind the Black Horse.
“Some of the people down here are in their 70s and 80s, you can’t expect them to do that. Why can’t they just give us a permit?”
After complaints last year, Durham County Council vowed to take residents’ concerns into account when they discussed potential options for 2026 and a spokesman insisted that comments from people living on Bridgegate were taken into account.
Kieron Moralee, Durham County Council’s traffic management section manager, said: “Following a discussion among members of the South-West Durham and Dales, Business, Travellers and Residents Forum last summer, a decision was made to reinstate parking restrictions on Bridgegate in Barnard Castle from Friday, May 22, to Thursday, June 25, this year.
“Feeback from local residents and businesses was considered during this meeting, including the concerns raised by people who live on Bridgegate. However, the safety of pedestrians and road users must take precedence.
“We will be writing to all Bridgegate residents to let them know about the arrangements, including the provision of alternative parking for those affected.
“Once the restrictions are in place, we will continue to monitor the situation and work with partners, businesses, residents and members of the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities to ensure traffic flows smoothly through Barnard Castle in the run up to and after Appleby Horse Fair.
“If it becomes clear that the restrictions are no longer needed before June 25, they will be stood down early.”
Several frustrated residents ignored the rules last year, despite threats from the authorities that anyone parking in the restricted area would be fined.
“For the last two years I said, ‘I’m parking my car here, I’m not going to move it’,” Mr Carter told the Mercury. “I just said, ‘If they fine me, they fine me, I’m not going to pay it’.”
