HOPES for a solution to Bishop Auckland's parking problems could rest on a meeting between two councils.

The town's county councillors have asked for urgent talks about parking issues with members of Wear Valley District Council.

The call followed a meeting of the county's highways committee this week which considered requests for disabled drivers to be given an hour's extra parking in Newgate Street.

Wear Valley Disability Access Forum, Bishop Auckland Chamber of Trade, the Town Centre Forum and Wear Valley Business Forum all asked for changes to the traffic order restricting access to before 11.30am and after 4.30pm.

The district has already turned down requests from Bishop Auckland Chamber of Trade to help them boost business by offering free short- term parking near the town centre.

Readers of The Northern Echo identified the lack of parking spaces as one of the main reasons why they did not shop in Bishop Auckland when they responded to a Shopping for a Future campaign questionnaire.

Highways committee chairman Sonny Douthwaite, said: "We are forming a group of county and district councillors to see if we can work together to get things resolved.

"Parking is an ongoing issue in Bishop Auckland and it has been a problem for some time.

"As far as disabled parking is concerned, I can see both sides of the story. I am disabled myself and I understand how difficult it can be to get around.

"It is all about listening to what is required and then looking at it logically to see if we can come up with a solution."

Disability Access Forum co-ordinator Anne Cowie said: "We are delighted that they are looking at the situation further and that they haven't just dismissed our request."

Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster, who chairs the Town Centre Forum, said: "Obviously the county has recognised that there are concerns and I am very pleased that they are examining these issues."