Row erupts over the decline of North Road in Darlington

North Road has been slammed for its dirty appearance, antisocial behaviour and claims that not enough is being done to tackle the issues - with the town's MP calling it the "forgotten ward".

Peter Gibson, Conservative MP for Darlington, has now called on the council to make more of an effort to improve the area.

He described the road as being in a "dreadful state" and said that it had been "overlooked".

But councillors for North Road have hit back, blaming a lack of funding from central government for Darlington Borough Council's difficulties in hiring enough staff.

And council leader, Labour's Stephen Harker, has issued a scathing rebuttal of Mr Gibson's claims, slamming cuts in central government funding.

Mr Gibson said: "The dreadful state of some streets in North Road ward are a very very sad reflection on our town.

"I’m regularly told by residents it’s the forgotten ward and it’s easy to see that it is overlooked. Dirty streets, unswept roads, it is really sad.

"I’m sure with some concerted community activity the council could, if it wanted to, turn things around and restore a sense of pride, because it looks like everyone has given up. Well I haven’t."

Mr Harker has hit back at the MP and slammed repeated cuts to council funding under successive Conservative governments.

He said: "What Conservative Peter Gibson never acknowledges is that in the decade after 2010, Conservative governments have slashed council funding.

"The North East has faced the brunt of those cuts. In Darlington's case our annual budget - in real terms - is £45m less than it was in 2010 - that's 33 per cent less to fund all our services compared to 2010. 

"As a council we absolutely make the best of the resources we have - resources that the Conservatives spent a decade reducing.

"Peter Gibson is quick to criticise, and claims he's not given up - but he's achieved nothing with his own Conservative government when it comes to council funding. 

"He's been Darlington's MP for nearly five years - but we still have less funding than we did in 2010.

"Darlington is a fantastic town, but this council would do so much more if we were properly funded." 

Hilary Allen, one of three Liberal Democrat councillors for North Road alongside Anne-Marie Curry and James Coe, explained that the problem with dirty back alleys and fly-tipping was not just limited to her constituency.

She said: "Perhaps if Mr Gibson had done his walkabout at the start of his MP-ship he would have seen these exact same issues that he is now blaming the Lib Dems for. He didn't.

"He has never been seen here and never asked us three councillors if we have issues with which he can help.

"The dirty back alleys and fly-tipping are practically a daily occurrence, not only in this ward but unfortunately in several others across Darlington too.

"The lack of funds from central government does not enable this, or any other council to employ staff or buy more machinery.

"This issue is not merely down to the council. We have private landlords and their agents who simply do not tell their residents about the waste collection system here, nor advise how to separate their waste properly.

"Mr Gibson should have done his homework - Lib Dems would not have been returned to this ward time and time again for over 40 years had we not been doing our jobs well and effectively."

Speaking to residents and shop workers on the street it became clear that people don't just blame the council for the many problems.

A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, was frustrated by lack of police enforcement on the street.

They said: "It's definitely going downhill. It's not the people living on North Road it's the people walking up and down here.

"We need tougher policing in the area."

Inspector Matt Plumb, from Darlington Neighbourhood Police Team, said: "The number of crimes reported to police forces across the country has increased in recent years, and Darlington is no different.

"However, the town does have one of the highest resolved rates in the country, proving that when a crime does happen, we are able to identify suspects quickly and tackle those who are committing crime in our area.

"We are also seeing significant progress in the reduction of antisocial behaviour in our communities through Operation Trailblazer, thanks to investment from the Home Office, which has allowed us to target areas that have been hit the hardest, including North Road and Northgate. 

"Working with Darlington Borough Council and the Office of Durham Police and Crime Commissioner, we have improved home security in the North Road and Northgate areas through the Safer Streets project. As part of the scheme, victims of burglary and those houses close by had several security measures installed to help reduce the chances of further incidents occurring. 

"We are also continuing our work to tackle nuisance off-road biking in the area through Operation Endurance, by targeting known offenders and carrying out regular days of action.

"Protecting the most vulnerable is our priority and we will continue to do everything we can to provide the best possible service to our residents."

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A shop worker on the street, who also wished to remain anonymous, thought that the council was doing too much to help residents.

They said: "It is not a very tidy street at all. That's down to the people who live here as well as the council. 

"Nobody has any pride in the area. 

"If waste is left out then the council just comes to pick it up. People should do more themselves."