A message from the Chair of the City of Durham Parish Council, Councillor Elizabeth Scott on the closure of the Sands carpark.

A message from the Chair of the City of Durham Parish Council, Councillor Elizabeth Scott on the closure of the Sands carpark.

The City of Durham Parish Council has contacted Durham County Council and is looking into all issues raised within this video. The Parish Council is clear in their position that this is the wrong scheme for Durham City.

The Parish Council has raised concerns about the felling of the much-loved trees in this carpark. The County Council earlier this year declared a climate emergency and has now felled a large number of trees at a time when we need more trees not less for the City centre.

The Parish Council is also pushing for alternative temporary car parking provision to be made available to ensure that the impact on local businesses as a result of the closure of this carpark is mitigated against. The fact that the a very well-used open air car park in the city centre has been closed at the height of the Summer tourist season is unacceptable.

The Parish Council has also requested that the fencing around the common land be removed immediately. No works are taking place on this land and members of the public do have a right to roam on this land.