NEW "no waiting" orders could increase parking problems around the centre of Crook, residents have claimed.

Durham County Council's plans for extra double yellow lines on streets behind the Civic Centre and off the Market Place are expected to be agreed by members of its highways committee on Tuesday.

The revised traffic orders are not part of a controversial parking strategy for Crook, outlined by the county and Wear Valley District councils last year.

But some town centre residents claim it will add to the parking problems in the town.

Under the orders there will be:

* No parking in Whitfield Street, Kellett Square and at the rear of Hope Street, between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday;

* No parking at any time on a short section of Queen Street and Elliott Street;

* No waiting at any time at the Addison Street and Albert Street car parks, to protect the entrances;

* No waiting at any time on the junction of Arthur Street and Addison Street;

* No waiting at any time at the entrance to the Wesley Street car park;

* Further restrictions on Croft Street.

A report to the committee says the scheme is supported by the district council and the area's county councillors, Bob Pendlebury and Trevor Carroll.

There is one objection, from a disabled resident of Arthur Street, who fears that more drivers would park in front of her house.

Andrew Hall, chairman of Crook Community Partnership, said: "This is bound to cause problems. Why can't they free up the three car parks allocated to district council staff after 6pm and at weekends?

"That would mean more shoppers could come into the town on Saturdays."

District councillor Geoff Mowbray said: "Who is going to enforce these restrictions? We haven't got a traffic warden at the moment and people park where they like.

"This is not going to be popular. It is just going to move the problem around the town.

"If you are going to move people off the backstreets, it could be an accident waiting to happen.

"Parking problems are long standing in Crook, we have made several suggestions to the county to cure them and they have not come back with anything."