RESIDENTS in Yarm are being urged to have their say about proposed changes to parking in the town for the first time in more than 30 years.

Traders and shoppers have voiced their concerns in recent months about the current laws affecting motorists, claiming it is affecting business.

Stockton Borough Council this week started a consultation period, asking residents to vote on the best options for the town centre.

The three main ideas are a long stay car park, charging for short stay parking in the High Street and an extension to disc parking to allow increased short stay time in the High Street.

People are being asked to identify which site would be most suitable for a long stay car park from the Brickyard site, south of Yarm; Worsall Road allotments and land allocated for Yarm Cemetery extension.

Paddy Morton, of Yarm Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the council’s decision to take the problem seriously and urged people to vote for the best idea for Yarm.

However, allotment owners have reacted angrily to the plans, claiming the council is not making it clear to voters that this land is currently in use.

The current situation in the High Street means shoppers can park free for a maximum of two hours between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday. After this they face a fine of up to £50.

The restrictions have been in place since the Seventies and traders believe a change is needed to accommodate the increasing number of cars.

Mr Morton said: "We have not had chance to go through the proposals yet but we are delighted the council is taking our idea seriously.

"We have got one shot at this, as this kind of thing doesn’t come around often.

"We have got to take this opportunity and urge everyone to think about the future of Yarm.

"The way people vote on this is absolutely crucial. I would urge everyone to keep an open mind and look at the big picture.

"There may be a need to compromise but hopefully people can help give an idea of what they think is the best option."

Bob Wegg, chairman of Yarm Allotments Association, said: "The way the three options for the long stay car park have been set out doesn’t give the people voting the full picture.

"It doesn’t explain that these allotments are in use. We could lose 50 per cent of our land.

"We have a little community here and there is even 53 people on the waiting list.

"There have been allotments in Yarm for 120 years. We haven’t got many facilities in Yarm and Stockton Borough Council wants to take our allotments away.

"There is a lot of discontent among everyone on the allotments.

"We are not going to take this sitting down. There is ample parking in Yarm High Street."

A spokesman for Stockton borough Council said: "The consultation looks at a number of possible ways in which parking in Yarm could be improved, and outlines the advantages and disadvantages of each.

"It is important to us to stimulate debate and for local people to let us know their views.

"We would also welcome alternative suggestions. We hope as many people as possible will take part in the consultation by visiting our exhibition in Yarm and Eaglescliffe libraries or through our website at www.stockton.gov.uk/yarmparking."