A POLITICIAN warned yesterday that Darlington could become "a tale of two cities" if on-street car parking charges are introduced.

Anthony Frieze, Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for the town, said a proposed £1-an-hour parking charge on town centre roads could create a north/south divide,

He met traders in Grange Road and Northumberland Street who fear the Darlington Borough Council plan will drive shoppers away from their side of town.

Mr Frieze said that the charges and planned Commercial Street development and pedestrianisation could leave shops in the southern section of town struggling.

"What we could have is a tale of two cities, a north/south divide," he said.

The council says the charges on roads which already have waiting restrictions are needed to tackle traffic congestion.

Mr Frieze said: "I can't help wondering if the scheme is more about revenue raising. It's really the equivalent of a stealth tax."

Andy Atkins, from Cooks and Kitchens, in Grange Road, said: "The charges will have a detrimental impact. Seventy five per cent of our customer base is from outside Darlington."

The issue will be discussed at a joint meeting of the council's environment and resources scrutiny committees on Thursday, in the town hall, at 2pm.