WORK is under way on a scheme to ease parking problems and improve the environment.

Twenty-three car parking spaces are being created on unused land adjacent to Graham Street, on Hartlepool's Headland. There will also be landscaping, including grassed areas and trees.

The £55,000 project has been devised and funded by the North Hartlepool Partnership, which is using money from regional development agency One NorthEast to regenerate The Headland.

The work is being carried out in response to the results of public consultation about traffic and car parking issues, and also in response to a petition from residents.

Councillor Steve Allison, partnership board member, said: "It's clear that there is a serious lack of parking in that area, which is causing congestion and a great deal of difficulty for local residents.

"The parking spaces should hopefully improve the situation quite substantially, while the surrounding landscaping will certainly enhance the appearance of the area."

The partnership has written to residents in the immediate area asking them if they would like to reserve one of the parking bays.

The work is to be completed by the middle of next month.