COUNCIL chiefs are to crack down on motorists who have been abusing a new set of disabled parking bays.

Three disabled bays have been installed by the sheltered accommodation in Newsteads, at Aiskew, near Bedale.

However, they have been set up on an advisory basis and police can do nothing about able-bodied drivers who are ignoring requests for them not to park in the spaces.

Now North Yorkshire County Council is being recommended to introduce a traffic regulation order which will legally recognise the bays, making it an offence for a car not displaying a disabled badge to park there.

Councillors are expected to back the move when the county committee for Hambleton meets in Easingwold, next week.