RESIDENTS in Yarm have raised concerns about a lack of parking around the town.

On Tuesday, at the town council's annual parish assembly, members of the public voiced complaints about the unavailability of spaces in the High Street and problems with access in residential areas.

One man said: "I've been a resident in Yarm for 20 years and it gets worse every year. I'm sure we are losing visitors by not having adequate parking.

"It's annoying that the High Street parking spots allocated to taxis during the day are not taken up."

He added that some of the disabled spaces were also empty at times.

Chairman Philip Addison said: "We are waiting for a report from Stockton Council on solutions to parking, but nothing has come through yet.

"I don't know what to do. The town council doesn't have the powers or the finances. The borough council is responsible for relocating parking spaces but we can request them."

Another man added that residents in Goosepastures were suffering from double parking. He had found problems last week, when an ambulance arrived to take his wife to hospital. It was unable to leave the estate for 15-20 minutes.

Coun Gwen Porter said: "The problem we face everywhere is the request for yellow lines and keep clear signs. They only move the problem to somewhere else."

The town council will write to Stockton police requesting the presence of traffic wardens for Goosepastures and Blackfriars.

Coun Majorie Simpson suggested writing to Yarm School to highlight residents' concerns about Goosepastures and the parking of the school bus.

The town council also agreed to ask Stockton Council to reduce the number of taxi parking spaces.

Coun Porter said she had also received a lot of complaints from businesses concerning the slow progress of work to the cobbles on the High Street.

Stockton Council told her problems with grouting were being sorted out.