DARLINGTON Borough Council has been criticised for allowing its bin lorries to ‘destroy’ a popular footpath.

A well-used walkway close to the Five Arches Bridge, in Darlington, is being churned up and left almost impossible to traverse, say local residents.

Refuse collectors are apparently using the path – suitable for pedestrians and cyclists – to collect rubbish from bins along the route.

One resident said the use of a large vehicle on the busy footpath was creating a hazard and ruining it for all who use it.

Jane Raiseborough said the area was not suitable for vehicles and claimed any other motorist would be penalised for driving there.

She said: “A lot of people use the path as it cuts out North Road and allows them to take their kids to schools nearby.

“The council has been letting big trucks down to churn it up so much that you can’t walk down there anymore without problems.

“In places, the mud is half a foot deep and they’ve trashed all the verges and it looks like they’ve smashed into a tree there too – I’ve got the broken headlight they left behind.

“It is absolutely disgusting and it’s only going to get worse as the weather does – it will never get better now.”

Ms Raiseborough added: “It’s not a road, it’s a footpath and if anyone else drove down it they’d be in trouble.

“My neighbours say it’s been like this for years and that complaints have been made but nothing’s changing.

“They should use something different to collect the rubbish – there aren’t many bins down there and they could use a handcart, they don’t need a big wagon.

“My kids are going to school covered in mud and it’s not good enough, they’ve made a huge mess of it.”

In response to the issue, a spokeswoman from Darlington Borough Council said the authority would look at alternative solutions and ensure bins were not emptied until after 9.30am.

She added: “Recent wet weather has probably made the condition of the path worse in this area.

“Staff are not allowed to drive across open grassed areas.

“However, on some routes, including this one, if the path is wide enough and there is no other option smaller, transit tipper vehicles are used to gain access to empty the bins.”