A TRADER has dubbed a council’s new parking restrictions in loading bays as “draconian”

and “bonkers”.

Health food shop owner Mike Barker says Darlington Borough Council’s decision to alter waiting times in loading bays from 30 minutes to ten minutes of inactivity is causing major problems for delivery drivers and is damaging trade.

Under the new restrictions, which are part of the council taking over all parking enforcement in the borough, drivers who leave their vans unattended for more than ten minutes can be ticketed.

Mr Barker, who is also a borough councillor, said ten minutes was an inadequate amount of time for some deliveries and has received a plethora of complaints from delivery drivers and businesses.

“For many independent retailers who are in the yards and wynds, drivers have to park some way away from the shop, unload and trolley the delivery down. They are also sales people and ambassadors for their companies.

“Ten minutes is not long enough, especially when you account for the time it takes to do paperwork and returns.”

Mr Barker said one delivery driver had received a ticket after being away from his van for 11 minutes.

He also questioned the legality of the move.

“How are you supposed to know it’s now ten minutes of inactivity when there is nothing saying that on the sign,”

said Mr Barker, who runs The Health Food Warehouse, in Post House Wynd.

“It is bonkers.

“If they are trying to encourage trade, they should be making it easier for delivery men in the town, not harder.

“It seems to me they are trying to rake in cash. To have a draconian ten minutes of inactivity is just not helpful to traders in the town.”

A council spokeswoman said anyone receiving a ticket could appeal. “We are looking into the specific issues raised by Councillor Barker.

“The new responsibilities for car parking will help the council to manage illegal and inconsiderate parking – both of which can cause congestion or impact on road safety.”