RESIDENTS living in a County Durham village "blighted" by human faeces and urine can finally breathe a sigh of relief after a problem layby was shut for good.
Families living in Tursdale, near the Integra 61 Industrial Estate, were left "angry and disgusted" after hauliers illegally parked and used the village as a makeshift rest stop – and toilet.
A deluge of human faeces, toilet paper and bottles of urine in the layby and adjacent field had become a daily occurrence after residents claimed Amazon moved onto the estate, last year.
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Parents shared their disgust as one captured the moment a truck driver urinated in public in broad daylight, while others feared a walk in the waste-stricken area could prove fatal to their pets.
A driver was pictured urinating in broad daylight last year Picture: CONTRIBUTOR
But now after several months of discussions and consultations, Durham County Council has confirmed the layby, which is officially a bus turning circle, has been closed and will not be reopening.
Amazon previously said it took concerns raised "very seriously" and that any disruption caused by subcontractors did not reflect the "high standards" of the company.
One resident, who has lived in the village for more than 40 years, spoke of their relief after more than a year of disruption and uncertainty on whether action would be taken.
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He told The Northern Echo: "The decision has been well received as it's been an extremely difficult situation, we're now all just hoping that this will eradicate it.
"If you'd have asked any of us, it was still the same as it was a year ago – human waste continued because nothing was being done."
Residents had discovered waste being thrown into the field opposite Picture: CONTRIBUTOR
The resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said a raft of temporary measures had been implemented ahead of what is understood will be a more permanent solution.
He said: "It's all now blocked off, they have also been to put down double-yellow lines in the turning circle right along to stop them parking.
"What is now proposed to happen is there will be two big gates at either end of the layby, but we were expecting that to happen in November."
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As concerns first emerged last December, residents claimed they had been "completely let down" after reporting the problem to the council on a number of occasions.
Residents claimed that up to five lorries would park "at all times of the day and night" despite signage asking drivers to keep the area clear.
Pictures captured by residents also showed how lorries, "not just" serving Amazon, would be seen double-parked - and in some cases, blocking the layby completely.
Lorries were often seen pictured on keep clear signs Picture: CONTRIBUTOR
But confirming action had been taken, the council acknowledged that residents had expressed concerns over the influx of lorries using the village and "anti-social behaviour."
Dave Wafer, head of transport and contract services at Durham County Council, said: “Local residents have previously expressed concern around a high number of heavy goods vehicles using the layby at Tursdale and associated anti-social behaviour.
“We therefore consulted on a traffic regulation order to ban all vehicles from using the layby. Local residents and local councillors supported this order.
"Following just one objection, the matter was considered by our Highways Committee in September.
The layby has now been blocked off to all vehicle access Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
"The committee endorsed the decision and we were able to proceed with the closure.”
In response to concerns previously raised, Amazon said it strived to be a "good neighbour" and that it was taking matters raised by residents "very seriously."
An spokesperson said: “Amazon strives to be a good neighbour and we take this matter very seriously.
“Any disruption caused by drivers does not reflect the high standards we have for our carrier partners and their drivers.
“We have informed our carrier partners about the concerns raised and continue to reinforce and remind them of the correct driver behaviour guidelines.
“We expect all of our carriers to comply with these guidelines.”
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