A CRACKDOWN on drivers who flout traffic and parking rules in the centre of Durham on weekend nights will be repeated.

There is growing concern about problems in Market Place and Claypath, where revellers head on Friday and Saturday nights for the bars in the nearby Walkergate complex.

Drivers dropping-off or picking-up people are parking illegally and some are performing manoeuvres that are considered dangerous.

Last weekend, Durham Police, Durham County Council’s licensing enforcement officers, staff from parking company NSL and the Vehicle Operator Services Agency staged a joint night-time operation.

Sergeant Ralph Thompson said that the problem had worsened in the past few months, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings between 6pm and 2am.

“During these times, Claypath and the Market Place are busy areas with people out socialising in the city’s pubs and clubs. Pedestrians in particular, but also other road users, are being put at risk by drivers who flout parking regulations and carry out road manoeuvres in restricted areas,” he said.

“Public safety is paramount and we want to ensure that no one is injured in any way due to thoughtless drivers.”

During the operation nine taxis were referred for inspection at the county council’s depot and were found to be complying with their licence requirements.

Seven motorists - two taxi drivers and five other drivers - were given tickets for parking illegally.

Sgt Thompson added that the operation was considered a success and would be repeated.

Dave Wafer, the council’s strategic traffic manager, said: “Residents regularly point out the problems that can occur in Durham City centre on a weekend as a result of a small number of motorists and taxi drivers who decide not to comply with parking and traffic management regulations.

“The recent joint enforcement activity has shown that we will continue to target those individuals who are putting the safety of others at risk.”

Adrian Fets, chairman of Durham Independent Taxi Association, said the problem was down to insufficient spaces for Hackney Carriage drivers, caused by changes to the city’s ranks and the liberalising of the county council’s Hackney licensing policy which has seen an influx of drivers into the city.

“They were doing all this in Claypath but I couldn’t get parked at my own rank at the top of North Road for private cars,” he said.

“They (the council) have created a monster that they can’t control and it is getting worse.”