Parking makes town 'miserable place to live'
LDRSResidents have said parking permit zones have made their streets a "miserable place to live".
The concerns were shared during Darlington Borough Council's review of resident parking zones (RPZ) to establish if they are fit for purpose.
Rachael O'Brien, who lives on Hargreave Terrace, said the parking problems are not covered by the current RPZ and residents struggle to park there.
Anthony Hewitt, assistant director of highways and capital projects, said the council is aware of the demand for new zones.
There are currently 16 RPZs within Darlington which restrict parking to permit holders from 08:00 to 18:00 GMT, seven days a week.
O'Brien told the council scrutiny meeting: "It's an absolutely miserable place to live.
"There is no parking and there is no help."
LDRSShe said the street's proximity to the town's Royal Mail depot means post workers "rule our street".
"The RPZ on the street is clearly not working , so residents wish the council to look at controlled parking zones or opt for temporary experimental traffic orders to gather feedback," she said.
Respondents to a council survey largely supported the scheme, with 76% of people living within an RPZ indicating it benefits the area.
But John Ridgeway, of Greenbank Road, said people using the hospital or town centre are taking advantage of the area's parking to the detriment of residents.
"People who are working in town are very prepared to park in a permit zone at 07:30 because they know there are not going to be enforcement officers around that time," he told councillors.
He said residents are also concerned by the increasing number of shared houses in the area and the impact on parking spaces.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, residents' responses will be considered as part of the council's policy review of RPZs which is taking place this year.
Hewitt said: "There is certainly demand from outside the existing RPZs for new zones to come forward, but it's difficult to say at this stage what they look like."
