Darlington Borough Council has been accused of betraying residents over a park-and-ride scheme set out in planning conditions for the Reynolds Arena.

Campaigners are becoming increasingly concerned about parking by football supporters on grass verges along the A66 bypass and country roads near to the stadium.

On Saturday, there were nearly 300 cars parked on both sides of the A66 bypass when Darlington played Hull City.

Coun Peter Foster, Darlington borough and Hurworth parish councillor, is furious that a park-and-ride scheme set out in planning conditions will not be introduced until there is a regular match gate of 10,000. Currently, the average attendance is in the 3,000-4,000 range.

"I think it's the most dangerous road in the area. The most important things is safety and keeping people alive," said Coun Foster.

"I think residents have been betrayed by the park-and-ride scheme. It has been used to make a clear road to put the stadium in place.

"The police are responsible for accident prevention and I can't believe they are unable do anything until a clearway order is placed on the bypass."

Coun Nick Wallis, cabinet member for highways and transport at Darlington Council, said the borough had applied to the Highways Agency for a clearway order which would alleviate a lot of the parking problems.

"The important thing at the moment is that the council is working with the administrators and the supporters to get the football club out of financial trouble," he said.

Chief Insp John Blacklock, of Darlington police, said that until the bypass was made a clearway, police were unable to stop the parking.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said that it was looking to introduce a clearway order on the A66 between Blands Corner and the Little Burdon roundabout, reinforced by double yellow lines on either side of the Neasham Road roundabout. There would also be a one-hour parking limit in laybys and cars would be prohibited from returning within two hours.

The order will be advertised next week. There will be a three-week objection period. If none are received, it could be in place by the end of March.

* On Wednesday, Darlington planning committee will be recommended to approve the football club's application to hold car boot sales at the stadium.

Planning officers are recommending planning permission for a trial one-year period with conditions including a clearway order on the A66 bypass.

Thirty-eight letters of objection have been received, including letters from Darlington Market Retail Stall Holders' Association and Hurworth Parish Council