Parking restrictions approved for villages

This week, bosses at Durham County Council (DCC) gave the go-ahead to new traffic restrictions in Wingate and Quarrington Hill.

Of these, one is planned for Wingate to prevent people parking near the mini roundabout at the Co-op Food store on Durham Road.

This includes double yellow lines at the junction of Durham Road, North Road, Wellfield Road and Salter’s Lane.

Another scheme will see single yellow lines painted at Moor Lane, near Wingate Junior School, to compliment existing traffic restrictions and improve safety and access for pupils, parents and staff.

County councillor for Wingate, John Higgins, noted pupils had previously campaigned on the issue.

Last year, a petition of more than 200 signatures from pupils, teachers and the community was presented in Parliament by MP at the time, Phil Wilson.

The traffic shake-up was discussed and signed off at a meeting of DCC’s Highways Committee on March 6.

This included a third proposal for double yellow lines at Quarrington Hill at the four way junction at Front Street, near the Half Moon pub.

DCC’s strategic traffic manager, Dave Wafer, said the site was currently a “safety hazard.”

However, a report for the panel detailed five objections from nearby households mainly over the loss of parking.

One neighbour also called for the double yellow lines to be shortened on Church Street to allow for on-street parking.

Councillors were told the request came from a resident living at one of the properties who is elderly and disabled.

Coxhoe division councillor, Stuart Dunn, noted that Front Street is regularly used by buses and HGVs with planned double yellow lines aiming to improve safety at the junction.

He told the meeting: “Whilst I’ve got sympathy that the resident may be elderly and disabled, this is an accident waiting to happen.

“It is supported by the people in the village, they want more traffic calming but they strongly support this, as does the parish council, without the amendment.”

The original proposal for Quarrington Hill, without the requested changes, was approved by councillors.