A COUNCIL has offered assurances to residents that parking charges at a well-used town centre car park will remain the same despite a change in car park management.

The Crosby Road long stay car park in Northallerton has been taken over by the Central Northallerton Development Company Ltd (CNDCL), ahead of the town's £17 million Treadmills development.

CNDCL will handle parking tickets and parking fines for car park users.

However, Hambleton District Council has offered its assurances that the £3.20 all day ticket, currently offered, will not increase in price.

The 228-strong car park, will also benefit from new pay and display machines, whilst ANPR cameras will be fitted to reduce ticket avoidance.

A council spokesperson said: "Charges at the facility will initially remain unchanged at £3.20 all day – but the council’s ‘park card’ scheme is no longer valid.

"The card gives discount to regular users – the district council still runs car parks at the Applegarth, which is long and short stay, and Forum, where the park cards can be used."

CNDCL are due to start work on the multi-million pound Treadmills development within the town centre.

The Treadmills complex, which will make use of five former prison buildings, will be completed in stages.

Wykeland Group development director Jonathan Stubbs said the recent confirmation that Iceland had signed up to a two-storey complex meant the development would push ahead over the next few months.

It is understood that the Crosby Road long stay car park will become part of the Treadmills development.