Residents have hit out at "nightmare" traffic drawn to a County Durham town for a car boot sale which they say is dangerous and causes chaos. 

Seaham residents have reacted with mixed emotions at the news that its weekly car boot sale is set to make its return on March 23 and 24.

The sale, which is due to take place at Seaham Hall Farm in the fields off the B1287 will return later this month but many have expressed worry about the traffic it will bring based on previous sales.

They claim that traffic gathers on Lord Byron's Walk, North Road and on the B1287 as car boot visitors visit the field.

One resident said: "Absolute nightmare for the residents! The roads get gridlocked, people walk straight out onto the busy main road without checking for oncoming traffic, and cars randomly stop and pull in or out without indicating.

"It’s frankly dangerous and a nuisance! Takes for locals what should be a five-minute journey out of town to 20-30 minutes!"

Another added: "Nothing against the car boot as anything that brings visitors to the town is good for Seaham, but the road network was never built to accommodate the traffic.

"The roads are gridlocked on Sundays and you can't move into or out of the area."

One pointed out: "I think it puts as many people off going into Seaham on Sundays as it brings in. It is a disaster waiting to happen ambulance and fire engine-wise. 

"I don't know why it's still allowed. I think it's in the wrong place."

However, other residents reacted positively to the car boot sales return, as many pointed out that the sale is "only once a week" and that it brings a lot of business into town.

Seaham Town Council has confirmed that they have received complaints about the traffic, and have suggested that motorists could be directed to follow different routes.

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A spokesperson said: "The traffic problems could be reduced if visitors to the car boot coming from the south were directed along the much longer Ryhope slip road off the A19, shortly on the A1018 and up the B1281 avoiding Seaham's Lodge Traffic lights.

Maybe then from the North to come down St Benedict’s Way and then onto the A1018 and B1281. In addition to this measure the new road currently being built to go off and on the A19 might also help.

Organisers Nobles Promotions have been contacted for more information.