COUNCILLORS voiced their anger yesterday after they were excluded from a series of meetings to discuss transport issues in Barnard Castle.

Members of Teesdale District Council's community services committee described their exclusion as undemocratic.

Two meetings have been held to discuss transport issues and put forward proposals to be included in the County Durham Local Transport Plan.

Durham County Council is drawing up "mini packages" to address transport problems in a number of town centres.

The meetings have involved officers from Teesdale council, the county council, Durham Police, members of the Teesdale Disabled Access Forum, Teesdale Market Towns Initiative and representatives from Teesdale's largest employer, GlaxoSmithKline.

But some councillors are angry that no members of Teesdale council were invited.

Councillor John Salter said: "We represent the people of Teesdale, and we have got to have someone there to represent our constituents, and put across the views of the people."

Councillors John Watson and Madeleine Walton supported his views.

Coun Walton said: "We are here to stand up and speak for the people of Teesdale, but if we are simply commenting after the discussions it seems slightly incongruous."

Members were told that the meetings so far had looked at issues including parking, cycling, public transport, safe routes to school, green transport issues and disabled access.

Tony Seaman, director of development services, said: "We reported to members in August, again in October and then in December, and all the comments made at this meeting we will take on board, I give you my word."