VILLAGERS and town councillors have vowed to continue pressing for a lane to be closed to travellers.

About 300 villagers packed Sedgefield Parish Hall for a public meeting, at which it was decided there would be no compromise over calls for Beacon Lane to be blocked with lockable barriers.

Travellers use the road to camp illegally on their way to Appleby and Yarm fairs every year. It is also a favourite spot for fly-tippers and speeding motorists.

Sedgefield Town Council leader Councillor John Robinson, who chaired the meeting, dismissed rumours that councillors were backing a county council compromise, saying members had sought legal advice to develop a policy of banning overnight parking on land it owns or rents.

Anyone found doing so would be moved on within 24 hours.

Coun Robinson said such a rule should alleviate fears that travellers would park elsewhere in the village if the lane was closed.

Durham County Council leader Ken Manton, the local representative, handed out a letter outlining proposals for gates which would restrict access to one end of the lane.

But this suggestion was rejected and Coun Manton was criticised for refusing to support the residents. Rita Taylor, chairman of the local Labour Party, said: "We pay our taxes, we voted for a Labour councillor and we expect them to represent our views when they come to make decisions in Sedgefield."

Coun Manton said the lane could not be blocked because it was a bridleway, which was about to become part of a cycle network, and would move the travellers problem elsewhere.

When asked if he would support the residents and press for the road to be closed, Coun Manton responded: "You are asking me to do something I'm not in a position to do."