Work gets underway on new long-stay car park in Yarm

Work has begun to create a new 55-space long-stay car park in Yarm.

Once complete it is hoped the much-needed pay and display car park off West Street will help ease parking pressure in the town.

The project has come to fruition after Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council struck a deal to lease the site, previously occupied by the Arncliffe Buildings, for a 30-year period and then secured planning permission for the new facility.

Councillor Mike Smith, the Council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: "We know people have been very keen for more long stay car parking in Yarm and this site is ideally placed to relieve the pressure on parking in the town.

"I'm pleased that work is now underway to get the new car park up and running as soon as possible to open-up much-needed parking options - for shoppers, visitors and people who work in Yarm.

"The deal to secure this site has been a long time in the making and it's taken a great deal of hard work and negotiations to get here, so I would again thank people for their patience while these plans have been in development.

"We know there's more to be done to solve the issue of parking in the town but we're very hopeful this new site, within a stone's throw of the High Street, will have a hugely positive impact. I'm sure it will be roundly welcomed by businesses and visitors alike.

"As we've said before, we will do anything we can to support our town centres and high streets to be successful and we'll work positively with anyone who can help us achieve that."

The new car park is expected to be finished later this summer.

Work will not affect direct pedestrian or vehicle access to properties but at times pedestrian access along Low Church Wynd between West Street and the railway viaduct may be closed with appropriate diversion signs in place. However this will be kept to a minimum.

In line with other long stay parking provision in the town motorists will be charged £1.50 to park there for the day.

Demolition of the Arncliffe Buildings began in November last year followed by the clearance of the site to allow construction work to begin.

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