GOVERNMENT staff are being blamed for bringing down house prices in the West End.

A trial bus service introduced last year to alleviate the congestion caused by Mowden Hall staff parking along Barnes Road, Staindrop Road and Claxton Avenue, has done little to improve things.

In fact one resident believes the problems have got so bad that houses are taking longer to sell and fetching less than market value.

Mr Tom Bamber, of Barnes Road, told the D&S Times he logged 104 cars parked on the streets around Mowden Hall one day last month.

"In terms of numbers the congestion problem is worse than ever," he said. "Staff numbers at Mowden Hall are continually expanding which means more cars.

"Even those who arrive at 8am park on the roads instead of going into the then empty car parks at Mowden Hall or the Mowden pub.

"One lady is believed to have had to sell her house for £10,000 less because many buyers were unhappy with the parking situation.

"Two other houses nearby took between one and two years to sell.

Coun Bill Stenson agreed the problem was getting worse.

He said: "It is spreading like a cancer through the ward. Staff are not using the bus service and the congestion continues to grow despite assurances from the council, Capita and the Department for Education that they are doing all they can to help it."

Both Capita and the department admit the bus service has failed.

Mrs Lesley Adamson, Capita's head of facilities, said: "Both the government and ourselves are very aware of the views of local residents and have regular meetings with the police and the council to improve the situation.

"Following discussions with the community beat officer, we have advised staff unable to find a car park space to park only along Staindrop Road.

"But we can only advise and not enforce."

A spokesman for Darlington council said: "The department and Capita attended the first Darlington employers' travel forum this week. We are now working with them to look at ways of alleviating the problem."