Double yellow lines that would prevent car owners from parking outside their homes will not be painted "at this stage", the council have confirmed, following concerns from residents.

The homes, which are on North Road close to its junction with Tempest Road in Seaham, will not see the lines painted as Durham County Council implements parking charges across seven car parks along the seafront.

Drivers will now pay £3 to park all day or £1 per hour under the new scheme from April 15 which was approved by councillors in February in a bid to ease congestion and bring the coastal town "in line" with others in the North East.

So far, construction work has seen pay meters installed in car parks including Seaham Hall Beach and double yellow lines painted along North Road which stop just before the row of homes in question - but have not been rounded off.

The Northern Echo: The lines, which stop but are not rounded off before the row of homes.The lines, which stop but are not rounded off before the row of homes. (Image: SANDRA MADDOX)

Should they be installed, residents who park their cars outside these homes would be forced to move them elsewhere.

Following concerns from residents to the council, it has been confirmed that double yellows will not be painted at this time - but they have not been ruled out for the future.

Mark Jackson, Durham County Council’s head of transport and contract services, said: "While the Traffic Regulation Order does include the painting of double yellow lines in this location, we have listened to concerns recently raised with us and have chosen not to implement them at this stage.

"Having reviewed this location, it should be possible for traffic to flow unimpeded by parking on one side of the road, given the width of the carriageway.

The Northern Echo: Double yellow lines on North Road.Double yellow lines on North Road. (Image: CHRIS ALLMAN)

"However, we will keep this under review and should any safety issues come to light then additional measures or controls may need to be considered in future."

The full list of car parks which will see parking measures installed are:

  • Seaham Hall Beach 
  • Vane Tempest
  • Terrace Green
  • Seaham Marina
  • Dock Top
  • Noses Point 
  • Crimdon Beach

Despite thousands of objections before the measures were approved, the council believes it will support the "commercial viability" of the town.

Mark Jackson, Durham County Council’s head of transport and contract services, said: "The introduction of parking charges in six car parks on Seaham seafront will bring it into line with the rest of the car parks along the North East’s coast, where charges are already in place.

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The Northern Echo: Double yellow lines on North Road.Double yellow lines on North Road. (Image: CHRIS ALLMAN)

"The charges, which will apply to all, will be £1 for up to one hour, or £3 to park all day. There will still be free car parking in numerous other car parks around Seaham town centre, all of which are a short walk from the seafront.

"Parking charges are widely used to control parking availability and support the commercial viability of town centres and attractions by increasing turnover of spaces in areas where there is high demand.

"They improve parking availability for residents and visitors, and in turn, increase the number of people coming into communities and spending money. They also help lower emissions and improve local air quality."