Residents of a busy Hartlepool road are complaining about the lack of parking provisions, calling for the council to "move with the times" and provide greater facilities.

Sharon Darby, who lives on Stockton Road next to the A689, is frustrated with the limited parking spaces available to the houses and block of 12 flats near her home.

She said it's causing "security issues", as people are having to leave their cars several streets over, and is "impacting the lives" of the elderly residents and those who are less mobile.

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The 58-year-old, who has lived on Stockton Road for the past 19 years, continued: "We are having to leave our cars out of sight, or run the risk of a ticket by parking on the grass verges.

"My husband has suffered two strokes, and I've got polymyalgia and high blood pressure. It's a struggle even getting our shopping over to where we live.

"The lack of upkeep on the path adjacent to the road poses an extra risk, it's cracked and chipped, which makes things even harder for the older people living here.

"I've been asking the council for more parking facilities for a long time. I sent them a petition, which included the names of the majority of people along the road a few years ago and I've been attending council meetings for the last 4 years to fight for change.

"I also spoke to them in 2021, and I was told there isn't the money available to create the facilities we require."

The A689 dual carriageway and the houses set back from road with no parking

She said that she hoped the council would "move with the times" as car ownership increased, but instead people have taken to parking on the grass verge near the properties.

She added: "We would all appreciate, at the very least, a lay-by so we have somewhere for tradesmen to park when they are coming to do work for us."

A Hartlepool Council spokesperson said: “This part of Stockton Road is the section that runs alongside the A689 between Rossmere Way and Brierton Lane and which has a wide grassed/landscaped area between the road and houses.

"As the A689 is a 40mph dual carriageway we are unable to install a standard lay-by on it to provide parking spaces. It would require construction of a brand new service road which would cost a significant amount of money.

"We would point out, however, that a verge resurfacing scheme is nearing completion nearby at Alva Grove to provide extra parking.

“In relation to the footpath issues, we will be sending out an inspector to look into this.”

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