RESIDENTS of Haydon Bridge have been asked to suggest solutions to the village’s long-running parking problem.

Both Northumberland County Council and Haydon Parish Council are asking residents what should be done with Ratcliffe Road, which has been left without any road markings since it was resurfaced by the county council earlier this summer.

The county council has decided not to paint any markings until residents decide what they want to do with the road, but this has led to motorists parking on both sides of the road, leaving only a small gap inbetween for cars to pass.

Following a meeting with residents earlier this year, the county council has drawn up a number of proposals, including the possibility of parking on the road bridge.

Residents can view the proposals in Haydon Bridge Library, and comments can be made to either the county council or parish council.

At last week’s meeting of Haydon Parish Council, Coun. Alan Sharp said: “There’s nothing that’s cast in stone. It’s all up for consultation. If people want to offer feedback on the consultation then that would be welcome.”

Speaking after the meeting, vice-chairman of Haydon Parish Council, Coun. Eileen Charlton said: “The council took the surface off and they said that because we haven’t decided what we wanted, they would just leave the markings until we decide. The village is being consulted.

“There’s no parking provision in the village, so it’s become a major problem, and since the bypass was put in, Ratcliffe Road has been a bit of a free for all.

“We don’t want to stop people coming in to the village, because they will just as easily go to Hexham if they can’t park.

“A man from the highways department said that people could park on one side of the bridge, and hopefully we can get some bays painted there.”

Residents can comment on the proposals until the next meeting of Haydon Parish Council in September.