Monday, June 23, 2025
Teesdale Mercury
  • News
  • Features
  • Test Drive
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Art & Leisure
  • Buy your paper
  • Buy our photos
  • Digital edition
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Features
  • Test Drive
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Art & Leisure
  • Buy your paper
  • Buy our photos
  • Digital edition
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Teesdale Mercury
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT

You’ve been warned – town council to get tough on Demesnes vandals

by Stuart Laundy
March 4, 2024
in News
You’ve been warned – town council to get tough on Demesnes vandals

COSTLY DAMAGE: The lower Demesnes

DRIVERS who deliberately cause damage to a Barnard Castle beauty spot will be hit in the pocket.

Town councillors have declared “enough is enough” with thrill seekers performing “doughnuts” on the lower Demesnes after one driver caused damage estimated at £2,000.

Such was the sodden state of the turf that the vehicle got stuck and had to be towed out.

ADVERTISEMENT

A second incident, involving a different vehicle, caused further damage to the area.

Responsibility for the maintenance of the Demesnes lies with Barnard Castle Town Council, which took over management of the popular beauty spot from Durham County Council in 2019.

The lower Demesnes is a regular target for drivers performing “doughnuts” but on this occasion, town clerk Martin Clark said such was the extent of the damage, it could not be repaired by the council’s maintenance worker because of the deep ruts.

ADVERTISEMENT

Quotes for the work, which includes digging out, applying new top soil and reseeding, had come in at £2,000, members of the services committee were told.

Mr Clark said police had been informed about cost of the damage and the council’s wish to pursue restorative justice or reclaim the cost through the driver’s insurance.

Mr Clark said the driver of the second vehicle had been served with a notice warning him not to do it again.

He said the situation had reached a point where people needed to know the council would take action against those responsible for causing damage to the Demesnes.

Cllr Valerie Ewart questioned the mindset of those who would cause £2,000 of damage for “five minutes of wanton vandalism” .

Services committee chairwoman Cllr Fiona Turnbull added: “People need to know we are working with the police and the council will take action.”

ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Margaret’s trek ends in triumph

Next Post

Riverside vandals rip out beauty spot bench

ADVERTISEMENT
No Result
View All Result

Stay connected

Facebook Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT

Most popular

Business cooked up during Covid celebrates fifth birthday

Business cooked up during Covid celebrates fifth birthday

June 23, 2025
Call for dedicated Barnard Castle police officer

Call for dedicated Barnard Castle police officer

June 19, 2025
Historic Us trip for GB team and its Teesdale champion

Historic Us trip for GB team and its Teesdale champion

June 20, 2025
Call for more volunteers to join Dogs Trust

Call for more volunteers to join Dogs Trust

June 18, 2025
Barney Meet hailed great success

Barney Meet hailed great success

June 17, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

15C Harmire Enterprise Park
Barnard Castle
Co Durham
DL12 8BN

Email: [email protected]

Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited. No: 12475190

VAT registration number: 343486488

Explore

  • Art & Leisure
  • Business
  • Country Life
  • Features
  • News
  • Sport
  • Test Drive
  • Digital edition

Useful links

  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Buy your paper
  • Photosales
  • Digital edition
  • About us

Follow us on

© Barrnon Media Limited 2025

Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy

This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Features
  • Test Drive
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Art & Leisure
  • Buy your paper
  • Buy our photos
  • Digital edition
  • Contact

© 2024