MOVES are afoot to get a stretch of riverside linked up to the power supply to open up a town to the Tees. 

RiverShack moved its fleet of rowing boats to Yarm Wharf last year from Preston Park in response to trouble in Preston Park. 

Now Yarm town councillors are looking to get electricity installed along the stretch to boost security and attract more people to use the river. 

Cllr Patrick Morton, who is also part of Yarm Business Forum, told Tuesday’s council meeting there was “no infrastructure” down by the river – with “poor lighting” and no CCTV (February 11). 

He said: “RiverShack has moved to Yarm which is really good for the town.

“A huge part of our thinking at the business forum is around having leisure for visitors, families and residents and improving the use of the river.

“But there is no infrastructure. 

“The proposal is to get some power down there by getting it costed up and getting some CCTV cover down there.”

A new sign was installed on Silver Street by the Environment Agency last year to warn motorists about rising river levels. 

But solar panels for the sign on the approach to Yarm Wharf have been stolen.

Cllr Morton added: “It’s why we need CCTV to stop these things being stolen.

“The idea is we’ll be able to get some facilities down there in future.”

Rachel Dodd, owner of RiverShack, welcomed the move after the meeting – and was keen to hear what other people thought about what could happen to the wharf. 

She added: “Stockton has already got a programme of conversations to involve other town centres.

“And Stockton is very much looking at developing its riverside as a destination for visitors and families.

“Yarm needs to do the same because it has that asset – and we should be doing everything we can to make the most of it.”

Ms Dodd told the Local Democracy Reporting Service collaboration between Stockton Council, the Environment Agency and other bodies would be key to getting something done on the river.