Parking controls are just the ticket

Durham County Council introduced the controls in stages from October 2000 to help ease congestion and make the streets safer.

A survey of residents shows that 60 per cent of those who responded do not want the scheme to change.

The survey found high regard for office staff and parking attendants employed by NCP Ltd, which runs the scheme for the council .

Residents who responded were entered into a draw for a meal for two at Cathedrals restaurant, provided by NCP.

The winner, drawn by NCP's Paula Burns and council deputy leader, Councillor Don Ross, was David Knight, of Hallgarth Street.

More than 25 per cent of residents responded to the survey and 96 per cent found NCP office staff to be courteous and efficient and 95 per cent rated parking attendants as courteous, helpful and welcome.

"We received more than 200 responses to the survey, which is very encouraging,'' said Coun Ross.

The scheme aims to balance the requirements of residents, visitors and shoppers with those of commuters.

Coun Ross said that money made had gone into improving the North Road floorscape, the city's Shopmobility scheme and highway maintenance.