More disabled parking on the cards for Barney

MORE disabled parking is on the table in Barnard Castle after pressure from campaigners.

Possible changes to the pelican crossing on Galgate are also being mulled over by county officials alongside a bid to amend or increase disabled parking provision.

It was also confirmed that a bespoke barrier similar to the one the other side of Newgate will be installed outside St Mary’s Parish Church “as soon as possible”.

Town councillor Dr Richard Child walked the streets of Barnard Castle with surgery boss Helen Hobson over the summer to understand how kerbs, cobbles and street furnitur made navigating the town difficult for some.

He met county officials earlier this month to discuss the problem and welcomed the developments.

He said: “Traffic has been one of the things people have been mentioning since I became a councillor.

“The other thing is getting more disabled bays. If we get a couple of parking bays on the Teesdale Mercury side of the road it provides a level surface.”

Cllr Child added that a grab rail for the Galgate crossing was also being looked at.

Ann Henderson, from Teesdale Disability Access Forum, thought the changes to the pelican crossing could be a “no no” due to regulations and the effect alterations could have for visually impaired people.

But she added that parking changes were needed.

Ms Henderson said: “Disabled parking was one thing we talked about years ago but we were not able to do it. It is really difficult for disabled people to get out on the cobbles.”

Ms Henderson also explained how budget cuts had changed the way access problems were resolved in recent years.

She added: “We used to have £25,000 and ask them to come over and drop kerbs – we used to go all over Teesdale.

“But the money has dried up now and we have not had any money dedicated for a few years.

“We went around with a map in every village in Teesdale so nobody was left off.”

Dave Wafer, Durham County Council’s strategic traffic manager, confirmed the council was examining the possible changes.

He added: “If any changes were to be progressed, a full consultation process would be carried out.

“A bespoke barrier is now being made for the area outside St Mary’s Parish Church and will be installed as soon as possible.”