A TEMPORARY parking ban near a hospital looks likely to become permanent.

Last July, temporary "no waiting at any time" restrictions were introduced in the roads surrounding the University Hospital of North Durham, in Framwellgate Moor.

The move was prompted by congestion problems caused by motorists trying to avoid paying parking fees at the hospital, which opened last spring.

Concerns were raised that ambulances and buses were being delayed and local residents were facing a safety hazard when reversing in and out of their driveways.

When the temporary restrictions were advertised by Durham County Council last May, only two objections - one from a resident and the other from a member of Durham Moor Tennis Club - were received.

They feared that the restrictions would only add to the demand for free parking in streets near the hospital.

The council decided to introduce the measures as an experiment for a maximum of 18 months, and since July has monitored the effects on the roads surrounding the hospital and nearby streets.

In a report to the council's highways committee, scheduled to meet next week, Chris Tunstall, director of environment and technical services, said the results of the trial had only been positive.

He said: "Since the introduction of the experimental order, problems have been removed, with all traffic having unrestricted flow through the network and residents' concerns regarding road safety being addressed.

"The restrictions have not led to an increase in displaced parking in adjacent residential streets.

"With the construction of the University Hospital of North Durham, some displacement from its car parks has taken place as a result of drivers wishing to avoid charges, but this cannot be attributed to the experimental waiting restrictions."

Mr Tunstall said there have been no further objections from residents and that the restrictions have been welcomed by the emergency services and bus operators.

He recommended that the experiment be made permanent.