The Highways Committee of Durham County Council met on 13 October 2025 to discuss proposed changes to traffic regulation orders in several locations. The meeting was scheduled to address objections received during consultations on amendments to parking and waiting restrictions in Kyo, Annfield Plain, Greencroft, Catchgate, Harelaw, and Dipton, as well as in Bishop Auckland. Councillors were asked to decide, in principle, whether the Traffic Regulation Orders should be made.

Kyo, Annfield Plain, Greencroft, Catchgate, Harelaw and Dipton (Parking & Waiting Restrictions) Traffic Regulation Amendment Order

The committee was scheduled to consider objections to proposed changes to parking and waiting restrictions in Kyo, Annfield Plain, Greencroft, Catchgate, Harelaw and Dipton. The proposed changes included introducing 'no waiting at any time' restrictions in specific locations.

The report pack included details of three locations where objections were received:

• Loud View Terrace: The proposal was to introduce 'no waiting at any time' restrictions. The council reported that parking on the western side of the C126 often obstructs traffic flow, reducing the carriageway to one lane. The council had received reports of near-miss collisions. Of 42 properties balloted, 11 objected. Objectors stated that there was no other parking available for residents or visitors, and that the current parking arrangement slowed traffic, making it safer. The council responded that road safety must take precedence. >Whilst there will always be some level of displacement associated with the introduction of formal parking restrictions; we feel road safety must take precedent when being significantly compromised.
• Pontop Court: The proposal was to introduce 'no waiting at any time' restrictions around the junction from Granville Avenue into Pontop Court. Residents had expressed concerns about parking restricting access/egress, especially for larger vehicles. Two properties objected, stating that no one parks at two of the locations and that owners have parked in the area for many years without any problem. The council responded that a local resident had reported obstructive parking, restricting access for larger vehicles, and that officers had observed obstructive parking.
• Pontop Terrace: The proposal was to introduce 'no waiting at any time' restrictions on either side of the junctions from Pontop Terrace onto the C126 to improve visibility for approaching road users for safe access/egress. One property objected, stating that they had never seen a vehicle parked in these locations causing an issue. The council responded that the former elected member for this area had raised concerns on behalf of local residents that obstructive parking around these junctions was posing difficulty for safe access/egress.

The report recommended that the committee endorse the proposal, in principle, to introduce the amendment order, with the final decision to be made by the Corporate Director under delegated powers.

Bishop Auckland (Parking & Waiting Restrictions) Traffic Regulation Order 2025

The committee was also scheduled to discuss objections to the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) in Bishop Auckland. The report pack noted that the County Council are committed to regularly reviewing Traffic Regulation Orders to ensure that the restrictions held within them are relevant and appropriate.

The proposed changes related to Clayton Street and the surrounding area, where development was underway to expand the bus station and introduce a new car park. The council stated that the existing arrangement of restrictions on Clayton Street could no longer be accommodated without obstructing traffic flow and preventing safe access/egress.

The council proposed to relocate the existing 'no stopping except taxi' and 'loading only' restrictions to a purpose-built layby on the south side of Clayton Street, and introduce 'no waiting and no loading/unloading' restrictions for the remaining extent. In addition, the council proposed to amend the arrangement of the existing restricted bays on Finkle Street to accommodate the relocation of a 'loading only' bay for the use of local businesses.

Three objections were received during the formal consultation:

• Two properties objected, stating that the changes were likely to cause access and loading problems for business and the likelihood of double parking blocking the through route to other users, and that they would no longer be able to access their garage or have access to on street parking at the rear of their property.
• A local member raised concerns about whether the balance of 'No Waiting / No Loading' restrictions and disabled/loading bays would still meet the needs of residents, businesses and visitors once implemented, and that the restrictions on Clayton Street and Finkle Street may reduce short-stay parking and make access to local shops harder.

The council responded that the proposed changes were in response to a new road layout for Clayton Street which was consulted on publicly in March 2023 and later granted planning permission in July 2023, and that they had attempted to find a solution that relocates existing parking facilities in the area rather than seeing them removed/lost.

The report recommended that the committee endorse the proposal, in principle, to introduce the amendment order, with the final decision to be made by the Corporate Director under delegated powers.