A PROPOSED new doctor's surgery could create traffic chaos for residents, it has been claimed.

David Evans, who lives in Park Lane, Darlington, believes the plans, which have been submitted to Darlington Borough Council, will overload nearby streets.

Dr John Hopkins, who practises from the Parkgate Health Centre, in Park Place, is looking to extend 217 Park Lane, with internal alterations and related parking.

Mr Evans, 49, said the surgery would be near the junction of Parkside, which was already busy, and streets would become congested. In a letter to planning officers he expressed particular concern for Chaucer Street, where the road was only 20ft wide and there were a number of elderly people's homes.

He said: "A lot of it there is old people's residences and another concern is that emergency services may not be able to enter that area through a lot of traffic. Chaucer Road is only 20ft wide.

"We are concerned about the whole traffic situation, really. There are no parking restrictions at all and the property itself is on the corner of Parkside and Park Lane."

He said he understood there would be only six new car parking spaces created, but there would be at least four members of staff.

Mr Evans added traffic got even worse on a Monday and Thursday, when the cattle market was open in Clifton Road.

He said he is urging other residents to write to the borough council with their opinions.

Dr Hopkins was unavailable for comment.