TOWN councillors are to reconsider providing parking spaces for residents living near a car park.

Last year, Norton Town Council debated about installing six bollards in St Nicholas Street car park, which is owned by Ryedale District Council (RDC) for people living in the adjoining Bruntwood Terrace.

The council was approached by the residents who said they were finding it increasingly difficult to find somewhere to park in the adjoining car park.

The residents argued that RDC had a long-standing commitment to install parking bollards near their homes, saying they were promised guaranteed parking spaces after they lost their garages when the car park was built.

The town council had agreed to pay for and install the bollards, however, the district council said there is no foundation to the householders’ claims.

RDC subsequently offered to lease six spaces adjacent to Bruntwood Terrace with the town council taking all responsibility for managing and the use of the spaces, including repair and maintenance and installation of bollards to secure the spaces.

Initial costings are estimated at £3,300, including fitting and legal costs with ongoing yearly costs about £1,200. However, the council has now been told in a report by its internal auditor that the move could lead to financial and legal difficulties.

It added that the Good Councillors' Guide states that councils cannot do anything without unless permitted by legislation.

“As these spaces are not intended to be available for all residents, in our opinion, the council does not have the power to provide what would be in effect private parking spaces,” the report added.

Councillor Di Keal, who has led the campaign to provide the parking spaces, said: “I am deeply disappointed that the town council has failed to deliver on this project for the residents because its hands are tied by legal red tape.

“It is frankly ridiculous that the council can’t simply take responsibility for just six parking spaces and install these parking bollards.

"In the current climate, when so many other responsibilities are being devolved down from district and county councils to parishes, for things like grass cutting and managing the skateboard park, it seems very strange that we cannot take on responsibility for a tiny number of parking spaces.”

She added: “I hope that the district council will now revisit its decision and look at a way of supporting the residents to secure designated parking spaces.” in the carpark. The householders in Bruntwood Terrace have a historic claim on parking in St Nicholas Street and as such be treated as a special case.”