RESIDENTS want a council to back down on its refusal to consider their plans for parking restrictions.

Last month Durham County Council tried to introduce mixed permit holder and pay and display parking restrictions in the streets surrounding Durham bus station.

The move followed an earlier failed attempt to introduce a similar scheme which was dropped when it met strong opposition from residents.

Last month the council once again decided against introducing restrictions after residents voted against the latest proposals.

During consultations, members of the Hawthorn Terrace Neighbourhood Parking Group put forward their own plan for easing the area's congestion, which involved more residents-only parking.

But officials refused to consider it, asking residents to vote on their proposals alone.

Now local people are again calling on the council to heed their demands.

Colin Green, of Laburnum Avenue, said: "The Hawthorn Terrace neighbourhood and surrounding areas are suffering from excessive traffic and parking levels as a result of the council's failure to introduce parking controls.

"It should be a matter of routine for the council to design a scheme that most residents will welcome.

"This could be a compromise between the rival plans put forward by the council and the residents. There is a responsibility to ensure that people can get reasonable access to their houses."

According to Mr Green the problem is particularly bad during university term times when competition from students, shoppers and workers often leaves residents with nowhere to park.

Mr Green said: "We believe that a compromise solution is possible, and are calling for talks with the council."

A Durham County Council spokesman said: "We have considered parking arrangements for this area twice already and are not prepared to give any further consideration to proposals which would result in residents-only parking."

He said a traffic order preventing car parking at road junctions and other dangerous places was being implemented