Parking fees rise has mixed reception

Teesdale District Council agreed yesterday to replace the 40p per hour fee in its main Galgate car park - next to the Safeway supermarket - with a 60p two-hour charge.

Officials predict the increases, which also affects longer stay parking, will net the council an extra £20,000 and encourage shoppers and visitors to spend more time in the town.

But the decision by the council's policy and resources committee was not unanimous.

Councillor Ken Coates said: "Putting the car parking charges up is one way of putting the death knell on this town and it would create a backlash from the public.

"It doesn't matter what every other town is doing, the truth is we have got to answer to a town that's dying on its feet."

Many people already resent having to pay to use the car park, especially when it serves the town's biggest supermarket.

Last night, local businessman Bill Oldfield, who runs Teesdale Marketing, called for a rethink.

He said: "The main complaint we get from visitors to the town centre is around parking issues.

"The council has to work with Durham County Council, the police, businesses and the community to find a solution, instead of just using it to solve its budget woes."

The current seven days a week charges are 40p for an hour, 60p for two hours, £1.20 for three hours, £1.60 for four hours and £2 over four hours.

Councillors argued that while the minimum fee would rise by 20p, it would encourage visitors and shoppers to stay longer.

Councillor Frank Wilson said: "It would be lovely to keep charges the same, but we are living in a real world and we have to face reality.

"We have to increase charges because we are in a budgetary system, and this is one way to raise funding to improve the council's balance."

Members voted in favour of increasing the charges to 60p for two hours, £1.20 for three hours, £2 for four hours and £2.50 over four hours.

The new charges will come into force this April.