Ward boundary changes plan sees road split in two
BBCBoundary changes which would see half of one side of a road separated from the rest of the street have been called "nonsense".
The Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBC) is conducting a review of council areas in England, including Darlington in County Durham.
Its proposal for Milbank Road in the town places one half of one side of the street in the College and Blackwell ward, while adding the rest to the Mowden ward.
Mowden councillor Pauline Culley said the proposals were "just not sensible" and urged locals to write to the LGBC with their views.
She said: "Whilst it makes sense to include all of Wilton Drive and both sides of Nunnery Lane in this proposal, turning half of one side of Milbank Road into a boundary is just nonsense.
"Councillor Alan Marshall and I will be putting in our views to the Boundary Commission and we would urge people to have their say too."
When launching the consultation Bev Smith, chair of the LGBC, said it hoped to draw up boundaries that "truly reflect local communities".
She said: "Whether you agree with our proposals or think something should change, please let us know.
"Every response helps us make better decisions."
LGBCThe commission is proposing 41 councillors representing 18 wards, consisting of six three-member wards, 11 two-member wards, and one single-member ward.
The boundaries of all but one ward will change.
A spokesperson for Darlington Borough Council said: "The Electoral Review is being undertaken by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE), whose responsibility it is to review the electoral and boundary arrangements of councils, to ensure their patterns of internal wards are fair and sensible.
"This review is being undertaken as part of a national rolling programme of electoral reviews."
The local authority said the final recommendations were a matter for the LGBC.
An LGBC spokesperson said: "We welcome all comments on our draft recommendations for electoral arrangements in Darlington.
"We have an open mind about our proposals, and our final recommendations will be informed by the feedback we receive from local people and communities."
