Motorists have been forced to pay for parking in four North Yorkshire market towns. Joe Willis asked drivers for their views.

FOUR years of talks, consultations, arguments and protests are over.

Despite widespread opposition, parking charges were introduced yesterday in car parks in Bedale, Northallerton, Stokesley and Thirsk.

The full impact of the charges will probably not be known for months or years.

But even on the first day, the charges were causing ripples in the four towns.

BEDALE

Only a few spaces were available in the market place yesterday where the two-hour free disc parking still exists.

However, the Bridge Street car park was only three-quarters full.

A passing dog walker said it would normally be packed, although she could not say where the motorists might have gone.

They appeared not to be parked in the auction mart car park, where there were only five cars.

One belonged to shopworker Anne Harrison, from Little Fencote.

Asked if she was happy paying to park, she said: “I can accept it I guess – you go to other towns and cities and you have to pay.”

NORTHALLERTON

Workmen were still erecting the signs in the Applegarth and Forum car parks. Most people examining the pay-and-display meters grumbled about the fees, but several concluded that they would “pay more elsewhere”.

Brian Wytcherley, from Darlington, who was shopping with his wife, Jean, said the charges would not put him off visiting the town.

“Northallerton has several attractions which others haven’t,” he said.

Liz and Ian Reid, from Harrogate, agreed.

“80p for two hours isn’t bad,” said Mrs Reid.

STOKESLEY

Of all the four towns, the changes are likely to have the least impact on Stokesley.

After a vocal campaign by community leaders, drivers can still park for free in the town centre.

Only four cars were parked in the Showfield car park and one of those did not have a ticket.

Trevor Thomas, from Stokesley Fish Shop, said he was relieved the market place was spared the charges.

“Who’s going to pay £1.50 to stop and buy a bag of chips for £1?” he said, adding: “I think it’s going to kill Northallerton and it would have killed Stokesley.”

THIRSK

The only anger towards the scheme was encountered in Thirsk where it was market day.

Stallholder Pete the Flowerman had not noticed any drop in business.

“We’re going to have to wait and see,” he said.

However, one woman said she was furious after having to pay £1.50 to park in the Nursery car park because all the short-stay car parking was taken.

Another driver, accountant Chris Meadowcroft, complained that he had only been able to find short-stay car parking when he arrived in the morning.

He said he had considered closing his business in the town because of the charges, before adding: “I probably won’t.”

Several of the new parking meters in Thirsk have been vandalised, although it is not known if the culprits were angry motorists or drunks.