HIGHWAYS officials have been accused of “backwards thinking” by Barnard Castle residents who have been banned from parking outside their homes for the past ten years to reduce congestion as travellers migrate to Appleby Fair.
Temporary parking restrictions were initially used in 2010 following consultation with Teesdale Residents and Travellers’ Forum and Durham County Council.
The move came after travellers camped in Bridgegate.
The restrictions, in place for three weeks, covered a 300-metre stretch of A67 road along the road with residents issued permits for free parking in Newgate car park for the period.
Every year since the restrictions have been in place with police cones along the highway stopping parking.
Now Durham County Council wants to amend the rules to create eight bays just for holders of blue badges.
Barnard Castle resident Mark Carter is questioning why residents in Bridgegate are not being given more consideration.
He said: “There is not one mention of non-disabled residents to have permits to park outside our own homes.
“Although I strongly agree residential disabled badge holders should be given permits, these are our homes that we pay taxes for and road tax for our cars.
“These restrictions have gone on for the past ten years and each year those residents with cars and vans are fed up to the back teeth of being told we can’t park outside our homes because of the travellers.
“We have been told by the police if we do park outside our own homes then we will be fined.”
He adds: “I think it [Appleby Fair] is an amazing event and have no qualms about the travelling community. What I do have a qualm about is Durham County Council and their backwards thinking.
“The travellers have been given a stopover site near Stainton Grove, a field provided with Portaloos and more than enough room. There are other stop-over sites as well.
“Parking at the Hole in the Wall may be easy for some to do, but those who are older will struggle walking up the steep bank to get their cars – it’s also unsafe to be parking up late at night and walking down the bank.”
He said the parking bays should be changed to residents’ only parking, with households issued with permits.
He said: “It really is that easy – anyone without a permit parked illegally is either clamped or issued a parking ticket.”
Dave Wafer, Durham County Council’s head of transport and contract services, said: “The temporary restrictions are introduced on Bridgegate each year to control traffic during the annual journey to and from Appleby Fair and they are necessary for road safety.
“Although the order could be operated between May and August, the restrictions are
essentially only in force during the weeks of the fair,
with signs in place making it clear when they are in operation.
“A lack of available parking along Bridgegate means it would not be possible to offer resident permits to every property.
“However, blue badge provision has been introduced to make it more accessible for residents who need it.”
