Parking charge removed from Tommy bays

Parking charges have been removed from part of a coastal town after a land dispute.

Durham County Council introduced fees at a number of sites in Seaham, including a section of Terrace Green, a year ago.

However, it has emerged that part of the land next to the Tommy statue was covered by a covenant prohibiting this.

The coalition-led council has now installed signs in the areas which are free of charge, but said it would not reimburse any fines previously issued.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service spoke to June Watson, Seaham Mayor and county councillor for Dawdon, who said: "Durham County Council decided to introduce parking charges, but little did they know, there was a clause.

"People parking in the bays next to the Green can't be charged because it was gifted to the public from Lord Londonderry so the land would be free."

Mark Jackson, head of transport and contract services at the council, said: "Full consultation was carried out, as required by the act, and the existence of a covenant between two third parties, relating to land outside our ownership, was not raised during this process."

Payment machines have been removed from the areas of the car park no longer subject to charge.

Despite calls from residents to reimburse those fined while parking at the site, the council said motorists would not receive their money back.

Elizabeth Scott, cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: "The parking charges at Terrace Green were introduced in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, and any fines issued since they were brought in last April will therefore not be reimbursed."