RESIDENTS are calling on a council to think again after it refused to consider their suggestions for parking restrictions.

Last month, Durham County Council tried to introduce mixed permit holder and pay and display parking restrictions in the streets surrounding Durham Bus Station.

The move followed an earlier attempt to introduce a similar scheme which was dropped after opposition from residents.

After residents voted against the latest proposals, the council once again decided against introducing them.

During consultations, members of the Hawthorn Terrace Neighbourhood Parking Group put forward their own plan for easing the area's congestion, involving more residents-only parking which they said would work better than the council plan.

But officials refused to consider it, asking residents to vote only on the council's proposal.

Now local people say something must be done to curb the parking problems, and are calling on the council to finally heed their demands.

Colin Green, of Laburnum Avenue, said: "The Hawthorn Terrace neighbourhood and surrounding areas are suffering from excessive traffic and parking levels as a result of the council's failure to introduce parking controls.

"It should be a matter of routine for the council to design a scheme that most residents will welcome.

"This could be a compromise between the rival plans put forward by the council and the residents.

"There is a responsibility to ensure that people can get reasonable access to their houses."

According to Mr Green, the problem is particularly bad during university term times, when competition from students, shoppers and workers often leaves residents with nowhere to park.

Mr Green said: "We believe that a compromise solution is possible, and are calling for talks with the council."

A Durham County Council spokesman said: "We have considered parking arrangements for this area twice already, and are not prepared to give any further consideration to proposals which would result in residents-only parking."

He said a traffic order preventing car parking at road junctions and other dangerous places was being implemented.