Plea made over ‘dozy parkers’ in Gainford

WORRIES over inconsiderate parking have led to calls for tougher action in a dale village.

A letter from the “residents of Gainford” has warned it’s only a “matter of time” until someone is seriously injured on the road from Ingleton.

Cars mounting pavements forcing pedestrians into the road and vehicles parked facing oncoming traffic near West View were the biggest concerns for the group.

“Car owners are putting themselves and other road users in danger,” it added.

The letter conceded that car ownership in the rural community had increased but its anonymous signees want the parish council to do more.

After Gainford and Langton councillors studied the letter this month, parish clerk Martin Clark said the problem had already been raised in the parish newsletter and traffic measures were being lined up in the village’s forthcoming neighbourhood plan.

He also added that police had knocked on doors in surrounding streets to advise residents.

Mr Clark said: “Some people have parked on the pavements because cars are being damaged by farm vehicles.

“The letter did not mention the brow of the hill – that was part of the issue, it wasn’t just there.”

Cllr Simon Platten told the latest Gainford and Langton Parish Council meeting he thought he problem had eased on the main road in recent weeks.

He also said the residents’ letter would have more influence if individuals put their name to their concerns.

“Who are you? It would be more powerful if there was 300 names on that rather than an anonymous letter,” said Cllr Platten. Councillors also hoped results from a recent traffic survey would shed light on the problem of speeding on the A67.

What do you think? Is there a problem in Gainford? Email your views to editor@teesdalemercury.co.uk