PLANNED changes to parking arrangements in a North-East town centre will be on the agenda at two council meetings.

A special meeting of Darlington Borough Council's cabinet has been called for 5.15pm on Thursday (September 25), at the town hall.

It will be followed, at 6pm the same day, by a meeting of the full council.

Cabinet members are expected to approve a raft of measures designed to improve parking for town centre visitors.

The proposals suggest:

  • Halving charges in some car parks and implementing a three hours for the price of two initiative in others;
  • A park and ride scheme between Darlington College and the town centre would be introduced on Saturdays;
  • Signage throughout the town improved and a temporary car park set up to provide 110 extra spaces.

The changes come following a bitter row between Darlington traders and the town’s council over parking policies.

In recent months, prominent traders have publicly called for change, with some business owners claiming the council’s policies were destroying trade and putting off visitors.

Council officials are recommending the full council approves spending up to £700,000 on the changes over the next two years.

Both meetings are open to the public.