Yarm High Street plans under fire

MP CLAIMS COUNCIL IS 'USING TOWN AS A CASH COW'

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT

PLANS for new public spaces and seating areas on Yarm High Street have come under fire from a Conservative MP and the Tees Valley mayor.

Stockton West MP Matt Vickers claimed Stockton Council was “using Yarm as a cash cow” without properly consulting residents after the council outlined plans focusing on improving accessibility and pedestrian areas.

The plans would create new spaces and enhance river links but lose nine parking spaces. They have been refined and reflected the findings of two public consultations in 2022, where 53% of respondents said they would accept losing some parking spaces.

Conservative Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen also criticised the scheme, which is funded as part of the £20m Levelling Up Fund from the Conservative government in 2021. He urged the council to rethink.

The council says the new areas will separate pedestrian areas and large sections of car parking through seating and planting, and improve accessibility to public transport, with “high-quality spaces for people to sit and enjoy their surroundings” and cycle parking, said to build on the restoration Yarm Town Hall into a heritage centre.