A NEW gate has been installed on a popular beauty spot in Barnard Castle after a long-running debate on how best to protect the area from damage.
The town council has taken action to better secure the lower Demesnes by putting in a swing gate. Discussions are now taking place on securing it and when the area should be locked to vehicles.
It comes after regular complaints about boy racers doing doughnuts on the grass, causing muddy ruts and short-term damage to the surface.
Barnard Castle Town Council has taken over responsibility of the public area from Durham County Council. Access will be provided to people who live further down the Demesnes at Mill Cottages.
Town clerk Martin Clark said: “There have been some difficult conversations with some of the residents who did not quite like the idea of getting out of their car to open and close it.
“But it’s a fine balance – it’s now the town council’s job to take care and protect the land. We will have to pay for any repairs or maintenance.”
The next step is to remove the height restrictor. However, the lower Demesnes is popular with people who park up and have picnics and the town council is looking at this issue.
Mr Clark said: “During the summer when people have picnics – and it’s a lovely spot to have those – it could be that there is no lock on the gate. But when the area needs protecting, for example during the Appleby Fair period or when the ground is soft, there would be some form of mechanism to lock it. The emergency services and residents will have access to the code. Those details haven’t yet been firmed up but these are the kind of discussions we’re having.”
