A SHOP owner, who claims a council has blocked an established right of way, is considering taking legal action.

As reported in yesterday's Northern Echo, a group of shop owners from Parkgate in Darlington, claim their businesses will be ruined by a new council car park.

The long-stay car park, which will cost drivers £1.80 a day, has been built on derelict land behind the Parkgate shops.

Until now, the land had been used and maintained by the shop owners, customers and people living in the flats above the shops.

The traders have complained that they were not consulted about the car park, which they believe will put off people coming to their shops.

Shop owner Trevor Barnes has consulted a solicitor about the 15-space car park.

He said: "Access to our shops will be severely disrupted by this car park.

"I am considering legal action because we have had a right of way on that land for more than 20 years.

"I have contacted my solicitor who is writing a letter to Darlington Borough Council about the development.

"If he is not happy with the answers, he may seek an injunction.

"It seems the council is just riding roughshod over us."

The council denied that the car park decision was made in secret, saying it went through usual council procedure.

A spokeswoman also said the council legitimately owned the land and had the right to make the changes.

She said: "We have listened to the shop owners' concerns and there will be a loading bay included in the car park for deliveries."