RESIDENTS have won a victory in their fight against more widespread parking restrictions in Durham city centre.

Plans for the third phase of restricted parking have been released and they will not include some streets where residents oppose them.

People in several roads have voted against the controls - which include pay-and-display machines and parking permits - in a ballot by Durham County Council.

The restrictions were introduced in the Whinney Hill, Church Street and Old Elvet area last October, and in Framwellgate Waterside, The Sands, Lower Gilesgate and Claypath in January.

In these areas, residents have largely supported the move, one of a series of measures to tackle the city centre's increasing traffic congestion and parking problems. However, some residents in the final zone, covering the Western Hill and Crossgate area, say they do not want to be involved.

Officials will recommend tomorrow that the council's highways committee introduces a parking scheme which omits several of the 51 streets.

Two petitions, signed by almost 250 people in Hawthorn Terrace, Mistletoe Street, Lawson Terrace, Laburnum Avenue and May Street were submitted.

Other streets that will be left out include some in the Western Hill area, Albert Street, and East Atherton Street.

Chris Tunstall, the council's environment and technical director, said: "A proposal has now been prepared which, it is considered, reflects the majority of residents' opinions as indicated in the ballot."