Labour leaders accuse Tory MP of playing 'silly politics games'

A ROW over plans for Yarm High Street has intensified as Labour leaders hit back at a Conservative MP's criticisms.

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT Local democracy reporter [e-mail]

Leading members of the Labour-led Stockton Council have accused Conservative Stockton West MP Matt Vickers of “silly political games” after he accused the authority of “flawed and secretive decision-making and lack of consultation”.

He had claimed the council had not listened to residents and ignored their views, but the Labour leaders say they did consult, that Mr Vickers had previously supported the plans and they called on him to “correct the record”.

Mr Vickers, in turn, maintained his objections and branded the latest proposals a “hideous monstrosity” and “bizarre”.

Earlier this month the council announced new public spaces and seating areas on Yarm High Street, separating pedestrian areas and large sections of car parking through seating and planting, to improve accessibility to public transport, with “high-quality spaces for people to sit and enjoy their surroundings” and cycle parking. But Mr Vickers accused the authority of ignoring locals’ views and using Yarm as a “cash cow”.

He said on social media: “Stockton’s Labour council made an announcement about the future of Yarm High Street - but don’t seem to have listened to any local residents about what they actually want for their town! The lack of proper consultation with residents, businesses and elected representatives is an utter disgrace and entirely unprofessional. Residents, businesses, councillors and myself will now take the time to scrutinise what's been pushed out through the press about what the council want to do to Yarm to see what the impact will be. This is just another example [of] the flawed and secretive decision-making and lack of consultation by Stockton’s shameless Labour council.”