CONTROVERSIAL parking charges are having a mixed effect on four town centres according to local officials.

Parking fees at short and long-stay car parks in Bedale, Northallerton, Thirsk and Stokesley, North Yorkshire, were brought in two weeks ago by Hambleton District Council in an attempt to make up a £450,000 shortfall.

Despite the short time since the charges became active, several officials say they have noted a negative effect on trade and residential parking in Bedale and Northallerton, although the situation in Thirsk appears to have changed little.

Stokesley was largely unaffected by the charges after a campaign by business leaders meant free parking was retained in the town centre.

Yvonne Rose, chairwoman of Bedale Chamber of Trade and Tourism, said some businesses in the town had already reported a drop in takings.

She said: “Already it looks like the charges are having the effect we thought they would.

“On market day last week, the auction mart car park was completely empty, which amazed me. It must be the first time that has ever happened.”

In Northallerton, the main problem is motorists avoiding the charges by leaving their cars in residential areas – socalled displacement parking.

Town councillor Jack Dobson said: “Displacement parking has escalated in the past two weeks, and several people have had to call the police because someone has parked across their drive.

“Motorists are leaving their cars where they please. At Northallerton bowling club, we have had people leave their cars in the car park and then get the train to London for a week, to avoid paying for parking.”

In Thirsk, Mayor Derek Adamson said the number of cars using short-stay parking seemed to be the same as before, although he said he had not used the long-stay parking.

Deputy council leader Brian Phillips said the new scheme was going reasonably well. He said: “The rate of income from the machines is what we expected, which means people are using the car parks.

“We are happy with the situation.

It costs 50p a day to park in Bedale and you cannot get much cheaper than that.”