Angry householders near Selby fear a council decision to build narrow driveways down their cul-de-sac will lead to car congestion and neighbour disputes.

Contractors are building ten three-metre wide concrete verge crossings along Highfield Crescent, Barlby, to prevent residents churning up a grassed area when driving from the road to their front drives.

Councillors hope this will cut down on maintenance costs, but householders claim the shared crossings should be wider and made into extra parking space for visitors and residents with more than one car.

Coun John Eastwood, 50, who lives in the street with his wife Linda, said people will be forced to park on the grass for lack of space.

"There's no other option," he said. "It's an absolute nightmare. The council's decision is not properly thought-out. They said they haven't got it in their budget to make it any wider and if we want it doing we must pay ourselves.

"Parking difficulties could lead to neighbour disputes."

Another resident Steve Bell, 29, said the council has not legislated for people having more than one car. His neighbours own three.

He said: "I work on a night shift and don't get home until after midnight. I can park in my front garden but I won't be able to get to it now. The council told me that it's a police matter if my driveway is blocked but they're not going to come out every night.

"I don't want to fall out with my neighbours over this."

Resident Coun Stephanie Duckett said: "It's a shame the council didn't consult the residents before they went ahead with it. If the crossings were double width then they could be used to park on. If people are inconsiderate it could cause disputes."

Selby district council chief housing officer Steve Martin said: "There are more people happy with the work than not. There's only one house out of 28 that hasn't got a place to park in their front drive."

selby@ycp.co.uk