TRADERS and disabled drivers have urged county councillors to rethink a town controversial parking restrictions.

Traffic orders made by Durham County Council limit visits to Bishop Auckland's main shopping area, Newgate Street, to before 11.30am and after 4.30pm.

Orange badge holders have branded the restrictions as ridiculous and traders say they are discouraging them from visiting the town centre.

As part of The Northern Echo and Advertiser Series' Shopping for a Future campaign, which aims to champion the cause of small shopping centres, readers were asked their opinions of Bishop Auckland.

Angina and arthritis sufferer Ann Prince, of Newton Aycliffe, said: "There are disabled parking bays but hardly any time to use them. I need to get as close to the shops as I can but won't bother visiting Bishop Auckland again because of the difficulty parking."

Action groups, retailers and disabled people have written to Durham County Council pleading for an extension to the time parking bays outside shops can be used. Bishop Auckland Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Town Centre Forum and Wear Valley Business Forum have all asked for an extra hour each morning.

Wear Valley Disability Access Forum has written to the council three times, inviting councillors or officers to spend a day as a disabled person to see how difficult it is to visit the town.

Co-ordinator Anne Cowie said: "It is just impossible for disabled or elderly people to get into town - sometimes in and out of a car with a wheelchair - do all their shopping and chores then leave before 11.30am.

"Many don't leave the house until later in the day and there is certainly no time for things like optician's appointments. We feel our comments are being ignored and would ask councillors to imagine themselves in the position of a disabled person."

But the council's highways committee, which was due to meet yesterday, was advised to 'set aside the objections' and rule that the permitted parking hours remain