MARKET traders will still be able to unload their wares when new parking restrictions come into force.

Durham County Council was going to ban any waiting on the short link road between South Burns and North Burns that runs past Chester-le-Street's market place.

The move was thought up because traders' vehicles are getting in the way of buses heading for the market place bus stops.

But the proposals have been modified to allow licensed traders only to use a 25-metre stretch on the eastern side of the link road to load and unload on the two market days, Tuesday and Friday.

The change was approved by the county council's highways committee after Chester-le-Street District Council, which runs the market, objected.

Director of Environment and Technical Services Chris Tunstall said: "They are concerned that prohibiting loading and unloading on the east side of this road will result in some licensed market traders being unable to service their market stalls."

He added that the district council wanted loading to continue on the east side of the link road as long as traders did not double park.

The plans were drawn up after police voiced concern that parked vehicles made it difficult for buses to get through