VILLAGE councillors have agreed to try to find a resolution to a parking issue which has “gone too far.”
Middleton-in-Teesdale and Newbiggin Parish Council received a letter of concern and complaint from resident Brooke Walker last month about no parking signs which had appeared on the village greens.
The parish council installed the signs to prevent any further damage being caused to the greens by cars mounting the kerbs near to the Co-op.
The issue was brought to the table at April’s parish council meeting when the former chairman, Cllr Adam Hearn, made reference to “ignorance and laziness” which he said caused people to pull their cars onto the greens. It sparked a heated reaction from residents.
Emotions ran high at the parish council’s annual meeting last week when one resident claimed she “had been made to feel like a leper in her own home.” Comments posted online were also labelled as “bullying.”
Speaking last week, Ms Walker, said: “I do agree that it has gone too far. It has caused a lot of emotion as you can see. Some of the comments are not acceptable.
“It has caused distrust in the council. I don’t think that is deserved at all because you do a lot of hard work. Facebook needs to be treated with the same kind of respect as if I spoke to you face to face.”
Chairman Cllr Andy Mitchell said: “We will bring it up at the next meeting. I think it is a breath of fresh air that young people like yourself are coming here. I can assure you it was not meant like that. I can assure you that we will try to get it resolved.”
Brooke’s mum, Dawn Walker, added: “I am disgusted at how Brooke was dealt with. How she was treated on Facebook was rude and horrible. We have looked after that house and the village greens round it with our heart. We are getting pulled over the coals for this and it is just so hurtful. To be treated like how we have been treated, I feel like a leper in my own home. I never thought I would say that about living in Middleton-in-Teesdale and Chapel Row.”
Cllr Mitchell said: “I can assure you that no one is trying to make you feel that way. I can only apologise from the bottom of my heart on behalf of the parish council.”
One resident at the meeting said she was “disappointed” with how the issue had been handled and called for a different approach to be taken by the council with an emphasis on consultation.
She said: “I don’t think the whole thing has done anything to encourage future participation. I think the general point is that the issue should not personally be upsetting for anyone. It is a small community and we should all get on.” Cllr Mitchell said: “I think you are right. Working together is a good way forward.”
Meanwhile, resident Pam Phillips, who is a member Middleton-in-Bloom, also expressed her upset about some “hurtful” abuse on social media regarding the work done by the group on and around the village greens. Remarks made on Facebook were referred to as being of a “xenophobic” nature. She said: “We are not welcome in this village. I have been in a terrible state since all of this. I am close to giving it up.”
Cllr Mitchell said: “I would urge you to reconsider that. I think that would be disastrous.” Members of the public were encouraged to attend next month’s meeting on June 19 when possible resolutions will be discussed.
