Plan for parking wardens a step nearer

5:31pm Thursday 21st June 2012 in Durham County Council News

PLANS to introduce parking wardens in five south Durham towns are one step nearer after councillors agreed the financial details.

On-street parking in Bishop Auckland, Shildon, Barnard Castle, Spennymoor and Newton Aycliffe is currently monitored and enforced by the police.

But Durham County Council is looking to have the task carried out by wardens.

At the council’s cabinet meeting on Wednesday councillors agreed the financial report, which will now be used as part of an application to the Secretary of State.

The council makes £587,000 a year from pay and display off-street car parks in Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle, but pays a contractor £128,000 to monitor and enforce paid-for car parks.

In the business case, council officers estimate the new wardens would raise a further £134,000 a year although would cost £124,000.

Councillor Neil Foster, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said the changes were not about money making but about allowing people to have the best use of space available.

“It has never been top of the police agenda but it could be part of our agenda. I think it is needed in the south of the county.”

Councillor Simon Henig, leader of Durham County Council, said parking had improved since enforcement measures had been brought in throughout the north of the county.

Comments (3)

6:47pm Fri 22 Jun 12

John Justice says...

I recently moved from Bishop Auckland after living and working in the town for over 40yrs. I rarely if ever find the need to go back and am now even more aware that there is no reason to return. I agree the need of adequate parking but this still seems that instead of supporting local business and making it attractive to shop in the town the DCC remain committed to sucking whatever monies they can from shoppers while ignoring the need for regeneration.
I recently moved from Bishop Auckland after living and working in the town for over 40yrs. I rarely if ever find the need to go back and am now even more aware that there is no reason to return. I agree the need of adequate parking but this still seems that instead of supporting local business and making it attractive to shop in the town the DCC remain committed to sucking whatever monies they can from shoppers while ignoring the need for regeneration. John Justice

9:48am Sat 23 Jun 12

treemouse says...

In the business case, council officers estimate the new wardens would raise a further £134,000 a year although would cost £124,000.How much will the council lose by the loss of shop rates because people will go out of town.spennymoor already is a ghost town.
In the business case, council officers estimate the new wardens would raise a further £134,000 a year although would cost £124,000.How much will the council lose by the loss of shop rates because people will go out of town.spennymoor already is a ghost town. treemouse

11:42am Sat 23 Jun 12

Brianzim says...

Now, that's a nice bit of Job-creation; The Fall-out from the Local Constabulary will be the ideal candidates and will be well known by Local Business too. Their training in dealing with difficult motorists will keep Public Relations in good stead.
Now didn't I see something like this, Donkeys' Years ago........
Now, that's a nice bit of Job-creation; The Fall-out from the Local Constabulary will be the ideal candidates and will be well known by Local Business too. Their training in dealing with difficult motorists will keep Public Relations in good stead. Now didn't I see something like this, Donkeys' Years ago........ Brianzim

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