A FORMER brickworks can not be used to ease Durham City's potential parking crisis, according to council officials.

The suggestion to use the site had been made by Durham Labour MP Gerry Steinburg, who said it could be turned into a temporary car park while development work is carried out at the city's 350-space Walkergate car park.

He said the temporary site would ease the effect of the loss of hundreds of parking spaces once work by Amec begins to develop the area into a 500-space multi-storey car park, bars, hotel and flats.

Mr Steinburg said the brickworks area on the Framwelgate waterside would be preferable to the proposed use of a city green area, The Sands, which has drawn opposition from residents.

It would also prevent the need for a public inquiry, which would be held if The Sands' option was pursued by the city council.

He said: "Not only does it provide ample car parking space, it is not in a built-up residential area, and it is in close proximity to the city centre via the new Penny Ferry Bridge."

Mr Steinburg's proposal met with the approval of Will Johnson, of the Save Our Sands action group, who is angry that the city council has failed to find any alternative to The Sands.

"It sounds like a better idea to me," he said.

However, a city council spokeswoman said that the former brickworks site was considered, but ruled out due to the knock-on traffic flow problems it would cause at peak times.

She said that the brickworks site would also have an adverse environmental impact as there would have to be "wholesale" tree-felling.