CONTROVERSIAL plans to introduce parking charges in the centre of Barnard Castle were approved yesterday.

Teesdale District Council supported proposals for the introduction of a pay-and-display system on the cobbles.

Residents, traders and a councillor fear introducing fees will cause people to park in residential streets and drive tourists away.

But the council, which recently took over management of the Market Place, says it needs to find revenue for the maintenance of the cobbles.

The authority's director of community services, Mark Ladyman, said parking on the cobbles was an emotive issue.

He said: "Parking on the cobbles has always been a problem area as, up until now, there has been no apparent ownership of them and no apparent authority over them."

Barnard Castle ward councillor John Watson said a traffic management working party, of which he was a member, believed a disc system was the better option.

He pressed for more consultation with the town council and other bodies.

"To rush into pay-and-display is premature," he said.

"It has never been put before us on the traffic management working party."

Chairman of the social and environmental policy committee, Councillor Ken Robinson, said prior to a parking order being made there would be consultation with police, the fire and rescue service, Barnard Castle Town Council and Durham County Council.

He said: "The introduction of parking charges will result in additional funds, which in turn will provide a safer environment."

All the members of the committee, except Councillor Watson, voted in favour of introducing charges.

The proposed charges will be in line with the town's Galgate pay-and-display car park, which charges 60p for two hours' parking.