TOUGH measures may to be introduced to tackle the problem of people parking their cars on pavements in County Durham.

Durham County councillors agreed to examine the possibility of introducing parking restrictions on narrow streets and will urge police to take a tougher approach on obstructed footpaths.

It follows the publication of a report that concludes drivers who park their vehicles on pavements are adding to a £75m backlog of footpath repairs.

The work to restore the footpaths makes them impassable for people in wheelchairs or mobility scooters and those with prams or pushchairs.

The report followed an investigation into the extent of the problem by the county's scrutiny sub-committee for looking after the environment.

Councillor Gordon Tennant, who chaired the working group which carried out the probe, said cracked or uneven footpaths could cause pedestrians to trip, slip or fall and suffer injuries.

He said: "They can also visually detract from the environment and, coupled with other factors, such as graffiti, poorly maintained fences and overgrown gardens, adversely affect the perception of local people and generate a heightened fear of crime."

Coun Tennant said a key finding of the study was the degree of damage caused by people parking on footpaths in housing estates, particularly older estates with narrow roads.

He said the growth in two-car families, coupled with fewer people using their garages to park their cars, was making matters worse.

He added: "The county council has faced many demands upon its budget in recent years and in looking at areas for savings, the highways maintenance budget has had to bear its share."