A parking plan designed to boost flagging businesses in Bishop Auckland is being put to councillors.

Traders have complained that customers will stay away if they cannot find free parking places near the shops.

After years of wrangling, Wear Valley District Council is responding with a strategy for survival partly funded with regeneration grants.

Proposals to increase the number of parking bays, making more short-stay places available close to the town centre, are being put to councillors next week.

A new permit scheme will provide long-stay car parks for people who live and work in the town.

A report from the council's planning director, Bob Hope, recognises that good parking provision is vital to the town's future.

He suggests setting aside 250 spaces for shoppers at Fore Bondgate, Kingsway, Gib Chare, Victoria Avenue, Tenter Street, Kingsway/South Church Road and part of North Bondgate.

More than 170 long-stay places would be provided in the rest of North Bondgate, Flintoff Street and the Newgate Centre.

There is also a proposal to introduce charges in all parks, which could bring in as much as £125,820 a year, including the £90,000 already generated by North Bondgate. Permits holders, paying £100 a year, could account for £12,200 of this.

There would also be a programme of environmental improvements and security measures.

The issue of charges will be looked at in detail after the strategy goes to the public for consultation, Mr Hope tells members of the council's policy evaluation sub-committee, which meets on Tuesday.

Chamber of Trade chairman Margaret Ellis, however, will press for free time for shoppers.

She said yesterday: "People stopping off at the shops for a few minutes don't want to pay. It will keep people out of the town.

"We would prefer to see the first couple of hours free, then a charge big enough to deter people from staying all day.

"Even so, this is long overdue, and we look forward to seeing improvements introduced.