DOUBLE yellow lines are to be drawn in a bid to tackle obstructive drivers, taxis, Ubers, "atrocious" junctions and "inconsiderate students".

The new measures were discussed at a Durham County Council highways committee meeting.

The council wanted to change a traffic regulation order at Briardene, introducing double yellow lines.

It comes as pictures were shared by residents in the area which shows a fire engine negotiating a partially blocked road.

Strategic traffic manager Dave Lewin said: "We have had reports from locals and local members that vehicles are parking, causing an obstruction in certain areas.

"It's causing difficulties for larger vehicles, emergency vehicles.

"We are proposing to introduce no waiting at any time in those locations.

"We've already tried to address the issue with keep clear markings, but that hasn't had the desired effect so now we're looking to put formal markings down that are enforceable."

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He said they received 22 favourable responses and five objections from people directly affected, and 16 objections from neighbouring residents with concerns that motorists would be forced to park elsewhere.

John Billinge, chairman of Briardene Residents' Association, said they supported the proposals: "This is the culmination of a long-standing, ongoing process.

"The proposals would go a long way to improving our situation.

"For all service, delivery and emergency vehicles, reversing is usually the only way out.

"That was the case yesterday. There was an ambulance called to Briardene. It had to reverse all the way out.

"Briardene is probably unique in central Durham as the only street with no HMOs and consequently has no student accommodation.

"Yet we are plagued with inconsiderate student parking with cars being abandoned for days, sometimes weeks."

He said a polite notice had been "ignored, or on occasion caused an altercation".

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Objector Sarah Wilkinson said: "The introduction of any additional double yellow lines in Briardene will result in a substantial loss of parking spaces.

"This will make an already extremely difficult situation worse as it exacerbates congestion in the narrow streets of Summervile, Nevilledale Terrace and Brierville."

The authority also proposed changes for Sutton Street - a bus stop move, three pay and display and resident parking bays, and no waiting or loading - to tackle obstructive parking around junctions.

Mr Lewin said: "The main problem appears to be with taxis and Uber drivers because of the adjacent student accommodation.

"What we're trying to do is introduce some parking which will effectively get rid of any availability for the taxis."

Resident Kevin Turrington said: "For many years we've had the problem with these taxis.

"They currently occupy much of the space on Sutton Street. I've actually had to go up myself and ask the taxi drivers to move so that elderly people can walk down."

Councillor Angela Sterling said: "Both of these proposals seem really well-considered, really sensible, and I'd be absolutely minded to approve them."

Cllr Ken Robson said: "I think we have no alternative really."

Finally, the committee considered proposals to change a West Rainton, Pittington, Sherburn and Ludworth traffic regulation order.

This would put double yellow lines near Tollgate fields and the Station Road junction in West Rainton, "to prevent obstructive parking and improve road safety", following parish council concerns about cars parked across people's drives.

There were five objections, citing concerns over displaced vehicles, more traffic problems and higher risk of accidents, but the council believed the impact would be "negligible".

Cllr Terry Duffy said: "I know this junction very well and it's atrocious, both coming in and out.

"The more we can do to alleviate the pressure on that junction, the better."

All three proposals were approved unanimously.

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