‘It is ridiculous… the council have massively overreacted’: Couple whose new driveway was blocked with bollards to cease them parking on it say ‘even the workmen regarded embarrassed’ and it is made the pavement LESS protected

A pair regarded on in horror as council workmen erected two bollards blocking them from coming into their very own driveway.

Amanda and Neil Cousins, each, 51, had spent hundreds renovating their dilapidated entrance backyard with block paving and erected a fence round it.

However a council highways inspector drove previous and noticed Neil’s automotive parked on the brand new drive, setting in movement a wrangle which has ended with the couple being unable to make use of the newly paved space.

Final week workmen arrived and ‘apologetically’ put the posts in place, making the entrance of their residence in Middleton St George, close to Darlington, County Durham, fully redundant.

The couple park their vehicles in an adjoining road whereas the big paved space stays empty.

Julie Cox (left), 61, has joined her neighbour Amanda Cousins (proper) complaining concerning the bollards, which she says have restricted an already slender pavement for her mobility scooter

Amanda Cousins says the bollards blocking her driveway in Darlington, County Durham

The home-owner says they have been left ‘blocked’ from utilizing their very own driveway after the bollards have been put in (pictured)

The bollards have been put in straight outdoors the property to cease folks driving over a faculty crossing

Neighbour Julie Cox, 61, has joined the couple of their anger as a result of she says the bollards have additional restricted an already slender pavement for her mobility scooter.

Amanda defined: ‘Our backyard was a little bit of a multitude with tree roots developing by the earth and making it very untidy.

‘It was open to entry for folks strolling by and youngsters used to take a brief reduce by it.

‘We thought it might look loads smarter if we paved it and put a fence round it, there was by no means any intention to make use of it as a driveway as such.

‘Neil works away all week and would typically park his automotive there at weekends.

‘Sadly on a kind of few events a council inspector drove by and we obtained a letter telling us we could not use the realm as a drive.

‘The entrance of our home comes out straight onto a crossing that was put in place for youngsters on their approach to the native college, which is simply across the nook from the place we dwell.

‘We accepted that fully and determined to not use it for the automotive any extra and to park in bays on the street that runs alongside the home.

‘Nonetheless the subsequent factor we knew we have been warned by letter that bollards could be erected after which there have been workmen on the street placing them up.’We stood there in disbelief. Even the workmen appeared embarrassed. They apologised however stated they needed to do it as a result of that is what that they had been instructed to do.

‘We’re not bothered about not with the ability to park there, that was by no means the problem, we simply wished it tidy and searching nicer.’However now it appears terrible, nobody desires a path main as much as two large bollards proper in entrance of their residence.’The council have massively over reacted and in doing that they’ve made the pavement unsafe.’Folks with wheelchairs wrestle to get previous and the youngsters use the bollards to swing round proper subsequent to a busy highway. It is only a ridiculous state of affairs.’

Mrs Cox stated: ‘There are such a lot of issues the council may have spent cash on on this space they usually waste money doing this.

‘The pavement is slender and sloping they usually’ve now made it even worse, it is a hazard for me to make use of in my scooter and I fell actually sorry for Neil and Amanda to be caught with this.

‘Somebody ought to take them out and plonk them in entrance of the council headquarters, it simply hasn’t been thought by.’

Throughout the college run, parked vehicles flank both aspect of the highway with autos compelled to squeeze by tight gaps whereas additionally staying conscious of schoolchildren crossing.

There aren’t any warning indicators suggesting a faculty crossing is forward however a lollipop woman is at present managing the site visitors.

Native councillor Deborah Laing sympathises with the resident however says requests to relocate the crossing, in partnership with the council, have failed to date.

Cllr Laing stated: ‘It’s extremely troublesome and we’ve requested the questions however we’ve not received wherever but.

‘She has every little thing going in opposition to her and we’re looking for a possible answer. I can perceive the council’s resolution however I actually sympathise along with her as it is very troublesome within the village with parking.’

A Darlington Borough Council spokesperson added: ‘There have to be a correctly constructed automobile crossing if residents wish to park on a driveway.

‘The placement have to be inspected by the Highways Authority to make sure it’s protected. We at all times attempt to accommodate requests however there are events when we’ve to refuse, for instance, if it is near a junction or crossing.

‘On this event the resident didn’t contact the Freeway Authority earlier than constructing their block paving.

‘If that they had, they’d have been suggested {that a} automobile crossing wouldn’t be allowed as a result of current crossing, which can also be a faculty crossing patrol location and has been for a few years.

‘We have now been in discussions with the resident for a number of months and have explored the potential for shifting the crossing level however this has not been doable resulting from on road parking, bus stops and close by highway junctions.

‘The resident instructed us they’d be extending their fence to shut the hole however this has not occurred so reluctantly we’ve needed to set up bollards to stop vehicles driving over the footpath.

‘It’s regretful that we have been unable to assist this resident however we’ve an obligation of care to maintain everybody protected.’