COUNCIL officials in Hartlepool have adopted a formal policy for dealing with complaints about caravans and trailers parked on roads.

The move aims to ensure that appropriate action is taken to remove vehicles that pose a risk to other road users.

Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, Hartlepool Borough Council's regeneration and economic development portfolio holder, said: "I think it is important to have a formal policy that clearly sets out how people, both owners and complainants, can expect to be treated by us as a local authority and I would expect that it is implemented with utmost pragmatism."

Upon receiving a complaint, council officers will try to establish the exact location of the offending caravan or trailer and whether it is obstructing sight lines or posing a possible road safety risk.

If it is not causing a problem, then no further action will be taken and the complainant will be informed.

However, if visibility is affected then warning notices will be fixed to the caravan or trailer, informing the owner that a complaint has been received and giving the council's contact details.

If, after two weeks it has not been moved enforcement action will be taken.

Anyone concerned that a caravan parked on a road is causing an obstruction and putting road safety at risk should call 01429-523249.