TRADERS are urging people to object to plans to implement controversial parking measures in a popular town centre.

Stockton Borough Council wants to introduce pay and display facilities in the Castle Dyke Wynd and Old Market car parks, in Yarm.

Officers also want additional parking restrictions on a number of streets close to the High Street.

But business owners say the proposals go against everything they have asked for and would cause an adverse affect on trading.

Campaigners have been battling for years to solve the wellknown parking problems in the High Street, with the introduction of some long-stay options for visitors.

But council officials have said no changes will be made to the two-hour disc parking in operation in the High Street, despite pleas from business owners to give visitors an extra hour.

A spokesman for the traders said: “This is a time when every High Street in the country needs the help of its local council to continue to succeed.

“Yarm is known to have a parking problem, so we have to ask why is Stockton (Borough Council) doing this now in a time of austerity, when they must know it will drive customers away from the High Street.”

He added: “The plan seems to be based on a flawed survey carried out last year, which asked people to choose between a long-stay car park and threehour car parking. Everyone in the town knows we need both.”

Traders want residents and visitors to write to Stockton Borough Council to tell officers how they feel about the plans.

Nearly 900 residents, shoppers and traders responded to a consultation carried out last year.

James Wharton, MP for Stockton South, said: “I will be working with local councillors, residents and traders to try and persuade Stockton Borough Council to see sense.

“They have not listened to local people and these plans could damage one of the best high streets in the country.”

Stockton Borough Council has previously said that the consultation carried out last year was designed to gain opinions on what people wanted in terms of long-stay parking.

A consultation asking for views on the pay and display car parks and street parking restrictions closed yesterday.