Walkers take advantage of council staff isolating to park illegally near Roseberry Topping on New Year weekend

Many motorists took advantage of a lack of enforcement from the council with the local authority admitting it was unable to patrol the village over the New Year period due to a number of positive Covid-19 cases among staff.

On New Year’s Day a stream of visitors to the popular beauty spot, which attracts those wishing to climb Roseberry Topping, were said to have left their cars “nose to tail” on the main road despite double yellow lines.

There have been numerous complaints over recent years from local residents in Newton-under-Roseberry about dangerous parking in the village and on its outskirts, along with issues over access.

Newton-under-Roseberry was included in a council car parking strategy published last year with restrictions being put in place over the summer intended to stop motorists parking in certain areas.

One regular visitor previously said: “It was unbelievable down here [on Sunday]. It’s been the same all week. People just don’t want to pay the £2.70 to go in the car park.

“They park on the inside of the lines because they don’t think it’s illegal - but it is.”

Redcar and Cleveland Council said its parking enforcement team “regularly patrol” the village and those parking illegally on double yellow lines were placing road users and pedestrians in peril.

Coun Julie Craig, the cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Plans were in place to enforce the parking rules in Newton-under-Roseberry on New Year’s Day, however due to a number of staff having to isolate following positive Covid-19 tests this wasn’t possible.

“It is totally unacceptable that some motorists think that it is okay to park on double yellow lines in the village and put other road users and pedestrians in danger.

“Parking restrictions are in place for a reason and motorists parking illegally need to take responsibility for their actions.”