SHOP owners in Bishop Auckland fear new parking regulations will threaten the future of their businesses.

The independent traders in Fore Bondgate rely upon people visiting the town centre on a regular basis.

However, they are concerned new stringent parking measures which come into force next month could see a reduction in footfall forcing some shops to close.

Shop owners claim traffic wardens are issuing advisory letters too quickly and they fear this prompt action will also result in delivery drivers falling victim to parking tickets.

Brothers Gordon and Robert Draper, who run Bondgate Books, said they were appalled at the crackdown and called for a permit scheme to be introduced which would allow traders to park next to their premises.

Robert Draper said: “For 800 years there has been no problem with parking in Bishop Auckland, but now they (the council) are making it a problem which is going to stop people coming here.

“The town is already dying, by ticketing people you are only going to finish it off.”

Paul Stanley, owner of Bondgate Electrical, said that trading in the current economic conditions was difficult, and that the recent distribution of parking warnings is going to make matters worse.

He said: “I am quite prepared to accept that parking has got out of hand.”

“But every other car has one of these notices. There needs to be some common sense.”

Mr Stanley has started a petition, but believes that Durham County Council will not change its policy regarding parking permissions; he feels that the council is “draconian in attitude”.

Durham County Council has recently removed a number of yellow lines and replaced them with loading bays, disabled bays and time limited parking.

Dave Wafer, strategic traffic manager of Durham County Council said: “This recent change should help shoppers and businesses alike and we are confident that the amount of parking available is more than sufficient for the town centre.

“Yellow lines exist to protect the safety of drivers and pedestrians and we will take enforcement action against drivers who continue to flaunt the rules.”

A meeting will be held on Thursday (May 23) at 1pm in Bondgate Books. Traders are being urged to attend to discuss parking enforcement.