COUNCILLORS have refused to remove no-parking signs from village greens in Middleton-in-Teesdale in an effort to prevent further damage being caused by “ignorant” drivers.
Middleton-in-Teesdale and Newbiggin Parish Council is concerned that cars mounting the kerbs near to the Co- op are causing unnecessary damage to the grassed areas.
To stop this, no-parking signs were sited earlier this month. A letter of complaint has since been received from a resident who claims the signs prevent car doors from being opened.
Chairman Cllr Adam Hearn said: “I was the person who put those signs out.
“They were bought by the parish council at the same time the flowerbed was put in opposite the doctor’s surgery.
“They stayed up for about one year then we took them down because people seemed to be being considerate and not parking on the village greens. Then before the snow there was quite a lot of damage to the village greens and it got worse.”
At this month’s parish council meeting, Cllr Hearn showed councillors photos of the problems being caused by parked cars. He also refuted the claim made by the resident.
Cllr Andy Mitchell said: “I think the signs have actually worked. It is not an offensive sign by any means. It is simply asking people to keep off the village green.”
It was agreed that the reaction to the signage helped to strengthen the parish council’s request for a long-stay car park in the village.
Cllr Hearn said: “In my opinion it is ignorance and laziness which causes people to pull their cars on to the village green. When we had the snow someone pulled their car backwards and forwards a few times on the grass to straighten it up. It dug a big rut in the grass.
“It seems that the nearer you get to the Co-op the less people are keen to keep their cars off the grass. We have tried various things over the years.”
The installation of a flowerbed opposite the surgery was successful.
Cllr Michael Wallbank said: “Could we look at raising the height of the kerb? It would discourage people to mount it. What about putting large rocks down?”
Cllr Hearn reported that the parish council had approached Durham County Council about doing this in the past but they had said no. He also said there are rules in place which state that nothing can be placed within 60cm of the edge of the highway.
Cllr Christine Gilbert said: “I hate the signs with a passion. I think people pull on to the grass probably with the best will to get as far off the road as they can. Everyone uses it. We are never going to solve it.”
Cllr Nickie Hough said: “A lot if it is locals who don’t walk and could walk.”
Cllr Gilbert suggested installing a Terram grass paving system which would reinforce the ground. If cars continued to park on it, it would still allow the grass to grow and prevent any further damage. The grassed area alongside the war memorial was suggested for a trial run.
Parish clerk Judith Mashiter is to look into the costs of having the surface installed and permission would be sought from Raby Estates. Ms Mashiter was also asked to respond to the resident explaining the reasons for the signs.
