The attractive entrance to Bedale is being ruined by people parking on the grass island between the town’s main historic buildings, councillors have been told.

Moves to put in double yellow lines around the main grass island next to St Gregory’s Church and opposite Bedale Hall at North End have been rejected by North Yorkshire Highways. Now Bedale Town Council is looking at installing a post and chain fence to stop cars parking on the green.

At this week's meeting, clerk Nick Reed said two residents had complained that parking on the area was ruining the entrance to the town from the bypass.

He added: "The council couldn’t agree more, we would like to see double yellow lines around there to prevent parking. Highways however have said they do not want double yellow lines because people then think they can park on the grass, I would have thought they would soon realise if they got a parking ticket. But Highways were concerned cars would then move further up towards the roundabout.

Darlington and Stockton Times: The grass island at the entrance to Bedale

"We did think as an alternative we could put bollards up but that would be at the town council’s expense."

Councillor John Noone said: "I don’t get this, it is alright for the traffic wardens to come in and blitz everybody, but they don’t want yellow lines, it is a bit hypocritical from North Yorkshire Highways."

He said smart white posts and chains as put up in the park would be a good solution. Members agreed to investigate how much it would cost. The council is also in discussions with the church authorities. Power Grid and Bedale Scouts and Guides over the state of land of the access road from Emgate to St Gregory’s churchyard past the Scout and Guide hut, as well as the rear access to Emgate properties.

The clerk said: "The road is in a really bad condition. The Diocese of Leeds and Power Grid are both willing to make a contribution to improve the road. Developers Yorvik Homes initially said they would be prepared to do something too but they seem to have gone very quiet on the issue."

He said it was difficult to ascertain who the owners of properties in Emgate were and what access they had. Mr Reed said there was no doubt that there was access over the land, as the Leeds Diocese had a document showing legal access since 1921.

Members agreed to find out how much repairs to the road would cost and have further discussion with the three other parties involved.