18 July 2023 , 12:09
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One homeowner has been left unable to use her brand new driveway after she parked there illegally - so the council blocked it with bollards.
The resident from Darlington, who wanted to remain anonymous, could only watch as her expensive driveway was rendered useless.
This was because of a crossing right outside their house used by school pupils and parents, which included tactile pavement to try and make it safer installed in 2018, meant they couldn't drive over the kerb.
However, the resident was unaware of this before they built their new driveway in March, earlier this year.
Now, after realising she is unable to legally use her driveway, she is calling for the crossing to be removed entirely, claiming it’s unsafe and causes traffic issues.
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Along with her husband, she was unaware of their rule breaking parking until a local authority officer spotted it.
The bollards were erected to protect the school crossing which has a lollipop ladySpeaking to TeesideLive she said: "I didn't initially know you couldn't drive over it, and we only had the driveway done at the end of March. A highways inspector drove past, stopped, and told my husband he was legally not allowed to park there.
"We did have grass and a footpath but the tree roots completely uplifted it, so we installed the paved driveway. To be honest, we were totally naïve and just assumed as it was a dropped kerb we would be able to use it."
A letter from the council followed in May, saying bollards would be installed if the path was damaged to stop vehicles driving over it.
"This was just a warning sign, we haven't used it since, yet they still came and installed the bollards," the resident added.
If the couple had alerted the council of their change to the driveway they would have been warned that they couldn’t access it due to the crossing.
The couple's car is now parked on a neighbouring street and they claim hasn't been used since March.
The couple splashed out for the driveway in March (Copyright Unknown)She added: "I feel like we've been made an example of and discriminated against. I don't think they needed to go to this extreme, I'm so embarrassed.
"It just looks awful and whenever I look out the window I'm faced with this. I keep my blinds closed now."
Local councillor Deborah Laing sympathises with the resident but says requests to relocate the crossing, in partnership with the council, have failed so far.
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She said: "It's very difficult and we have asked the questions but we have not got anywhere yet. She has everything going against her and we're trying to find a feasible solution. I can understand the council's decision but I really sympathise with her as it's very difficult in the village with parking."
A council spokesperson said: "There must be a properly constructed vehicle crossing if residents want to park on a driveway. The location must be inspected by the Highways Authority to ensure it is safe. We always try to accommodate requests but there are occasions when we have to refuse, for example, if it's close to a junction or crossing.
"On this occasion the resident did not contact the Highway Authority before building their block paving. If they had, they would have been advised that a vehicle crossing would not be allowed due to the existing crossing, which is also a school crossing patrol location and has been for many years.
"We have been in discussions with the resident for several months and have explored the possibility of moving the crossing point but this has not been possible due to on street parking, bus stops and nearby road junctions.
"The resident told us they would be extending their fence to close the gap but this has not happened so reluctantly we have had to install bollards to prevent cars driving over the footpath.
"It is regretful that we were unable to help this resident but we have a duty of care to keep everyone safe."