"Who Made This Decision?" – Labour Councillor Challenges Hartlepool Council Over Parking Plans..
Parking Row Erupts in Hartlepool Street as Labour Councillor Questions Decisions Made Behind His Back...
26th October 2026
A Hartlepool Labour councillor has questioned plans to introduce new parking restrictions on a Hartlepool street, claiming the proposals have emerged without his knowledge and could adversely affect local residents.
Councillor Philip Holbrook, who represents the Fens and Greatham ward, has publicly challenged the proposed prohibition of waiting order affecting sections of Spalding Road in Hartlepool.
The proposals, advertised by Hartlepool Borough Council under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, would introduce restrictions on three stretches of the residential road, potentially reducing the amount of roadside parking available to residents and visitors.
Councillor Questions Decision-Making Process...
In a statement published online, Councillor Holbrook made clear his concerns about decisions affecting his ward being progressed without his knowledge.
He said:
As a Fens resident and local councillor for the Fens and Greatham ward, I will always question decisions made in my name as a elected representative, without my knowledge and perhaps to the detriment of folk who live here.
The Labour councillor then went further, demanding an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the proposals.
There is a need to find out how this decision was made, and by who and why. Residents need to know that these decisions are arrived at with openness, honesty, integrity, objectivity, selflessness and accountability.
He added:
My role is to be a local leader, who takes all of the ward residents’ views into consideration and who works to influence decisions on behalf of them. I shall be doing exactly that, starting in the morning.
According to the public notice displayed on Spalding Road, the council proposes restrictions covering three sections of highway, those being Spalding Road, west side: A 19-metre stretch beginning 11 metres south of its junction with Wainfleet Road and extending northwards. Spalding Road, east side: A corresponding 19-metre stretch beginning 11 metres south of the Wainfleet Road junction and extending northwards. Spalding Road, west side near Newark Road: A 23-metre stretch beginning 11 metres north of the junction with Newark Road and extending northwards.
In total, the proposed order identifies 61 metres of roadside restrictions across the three sections.
Restrictions of this nature are usually introduced to address highway safety concerns, improve visibility at junctions or prevent obstructive parking.
However, they can also create difficulties for residents who rely upon roadside parking, particularly in established residential neighbourhoods where off-street parking may be limited.
Hartlepool Borough Council's published procedures explain that Traffic Regulation Orders normally involve consultation with relevant organisations, followed by informal consultation with directly affected residents or businesses where appropriate, before a proposal is formally advertised.
Importantly, the council's procedures also recognise that changes benefiting one group of road users can disadvantage another.
The issue now is whether those procedures were followed in this particular case and what opportunities residents and councillors were given to comment before the formal notice appeared.
Residents Have Until the 12th November to Object
The public notice confirms that objections must be submitted in writing, setting out the grounds for objection, and received by the council's Legal Department no later than 12th November 2026.
The full proposals and accompanying plans can be inspected at Hartlepool Civic Centre, Victoria Road, between 9am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Electronic copies can also be requested by emailing:
