'No parking charges' at Preston Park, ever

A COUNCIL leader has guaranteed there will “never be car parking charges” at Preston Park, prompting accusations of a U-turn from political opponents.

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT

Labour-led Stockton Council had proposed car parking charges at the popular Eaglescliffe attraction as part of plans to tackle a multi-million pound shortfall two years ago.

A 2023 council report mooted the idea, saying: “It is proposed that car parking charges are introduced at Preston Park.”

It sparked opposition from the Conservatives, with Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen saying the idea was “beggars belief” while Matt Vickers MP said it was “appalling”, both calling for the proposals to be scrapped.

Eaglescliffe East councillor Jim Taylor ran a petition which gathered hundreds of signatures, and said parking charges would be a “disaster”. At the time council leaders said no charges were being considered until 2025.

Now it appears any proposals or ideas for car parking charges at Preston Park have been binned, and leaders say they were “never formally considered or put into action”.

Cllr Lisa Evans, who became council leader earlier this year, has given a guarantee there will be no parking charges at Preston Park while there is a Labour council.

The museum is undergoing a £12.4m transformation with Levelling Up Fund money from the previous government, including a two-storey extension, improved aviary, cafe and toilet facilities, railway heritage features, and expanded parking.