Petition prompts parking review call
BBCThousands of residents and traders have signed a petition calling on councillors to reverse a decision on parking charges.
It follows the replacement of one hour of free parking with a £1.50 charge for three hours in Yarm and Stockton town centres.
Businesspeople claimed it was driving away customers and threatening their livelihoods.
After the petition containing more than 3,400 signatures was presented, Stockton councillors voted unanimously for a motion to call upon the cabinet to reverse the policy.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the petition read: "Free parking is crucial for supporting local businesses, encouraging footfall, and helping Yarm's economy thrive.
"The council's changes to eliminate one hour free parking risks harming small businesses and deterring shoppers."
'Bustling to struggling'
Paddy Morton, manager of the 170-year-old Strickland & Holt family business on High Street and chair of Yarm Business Forum, said almost all the street's businesses had signed it.
He said that the council's current plan to review the charge within a year would be too late for many businesses.
"Footfall on the high street has already been adversely impacted by the loss of banks, post offices, lifestyle changes since Covid, the growth of online shopping, cost of living increases, inflation.
"So we don't need more discouragement."
Councillor Niall Innes, Conservative member for Hartburn, said: "Even a short visit now comes with a cost.
"One hour free parking may seem small on paper, but for small businesses it was a difference between a bustling high street and a struggling one."
He proposed a motion to send the matter back to cabinet for them to reconsider given the "vast public and business support for scrapping the new parking charges" and consult fully with businesses.
The motion, which recommended cabinet reverse the policy and revert to one hour's free parking, was passed unanimously.
Councillor Paul Rowling, cabinet member for transport and resources and Labour member for Stockton town centre, said: "We have absolutely no intention of this not coming to cabinet because we feel local views should be heard."
Stockton Council is run by a joint Labour and Independent coalition.