The row over parking in neighbouring streets around the new HQ at Alverton Court in Northallerton has been raging since more than 400 staff moved in to the site which has only around 100 car parking spaces.

Councillors were told talks are being held with Hambleton District Council to try and find a solution to the congestion.

They are responsible for the nearby Crosby Road pay-and-display car park which charges £3.20 a day, but is often only half full, while residential streets around the new HQ can be packed with cars, causing traffic problems and parking chaos for local people.

County Councillor David Blades told members of the authority’s Hambleton area committee they are monitoring the situation. “It is a case of keeping people informed. I am getting reports almost daily of parking problems, but they are not illegally parked, these people are not necessarily committing an offence.

“The problem is there are some narrow streets in that area. We had an issue recently where a coach could not get through - the driver had to get the police to try and find the owner of a car. We have had one public meeting and we are due to have another.

“We always knew there was going to be a problem. We are trying to negotiate with Hambleton council to work out an agreement on the Crosby Road car park, but that will only be a temporary thing because that site is bound up with the prison redevelopment.

“The police are trying to accommodate people and the cars - they have introduced car sharing and working from home. Everyone is working together, but there are problems and it is a challenge for all of us.”

In a report to the committee Insp David Murray said the move by staff from the Newby Wiske headquarters and from Northallerton police station to Alverton Court was now complete.

He added: "In order to forge closer neighbour relationships with residents near Alverton Court, a community meeting was held to engage and listen to concerns.

"North Yorkshire police explained that it would act only within the law in addressing unlawful parking; but equally that it would not and could not direct staff not to park in areas that any other member of the public would be able to lawfully."