VEHICLE access to the lower Demesnes in Barnard Castle is to be restricted after a surge in anti-social behaviour and fears over traveller encampments.
Town councillors heard at last week’s meeting that police had been called out numerous times to deal with groups of young people gathering and damage caused by vehicles. Town clerk Martin Clark said: “Just today the police have been in contact to ask if the swing gate on the lower Demesnes is to be locked.
“They recommend that the gate be locked and the height restriction to remain due to the level of anti-social behaviour from gathering young persons, vehicles causing damage and speeding down that track – also littering and the fear of encampments taking place in the area.”
He added that it had been confirmed that Appleby Fair would go ahead in August and many travellers would be passing through the town around that time.
He said: “And August being the height of tourist season the police are rightly concerned. They are going down there on quite a regular basis and they feel it would ease the issues if the gates were locked.”
The council had installed the new swing gate this year as a barrier because the previous bollard had been ineffective. However, negotiations have been ongoing with residents about how it will be locked.
He said people living in the cottages down the track had wanted an automatic barrier installed which could be operated using a smartphone app, but this was not possible because there is no nearby power supply.
Mr Clark also doubted that county officers would allow the town council to tap into power from a nearby lamppost. He said: “A padlock with a secure code is considered the best option to avoid key loss. Residents, emergency services, Durham County Council, the post office and utilities would be advised of the number.”
He added that police and county officers had already agreed to the option.
The mayor, Cllr John Blissett, said the possibility of introducing new by-laws should be considered by the town council as well.
He said: “We need to look at some by-laws so the police actually have some powers to do something, because at the moment all they can do is move people on and slap their wrists basically.”
