YARM’s long wait for a new car park may finally be over – with a meeting hearing one of Teesside’s richest men is “happy to gift land” in return for space elsewhere.

Efforts to allocate land underneath Yarm Viaduct for a new long stay car park have taken shape over the past year. 

Negotiations between Stockton Council and Network Rail reached a breakthrough last summer with an agreement to provide access to privately-owned scrubland.

Now former mayor Jason Hadlow has revealed Cleveland Cable Company tycoon Alastair Powell is now happy to offer up the parcel of land for parking.

On Tuesday night, Cllr Hadlow said: “The land is owned by Alastair Powell and Mr Powell is happy to gift that land in return for additional car parking.”

Mr Powell runs the Middlesbrough cable firm with his brother, Michael.

He also owns the Keys bar on the High Street. 

Cllr Hadlow told Yarm Town Council the site under the viaduct was one of three identified for parking as long ago as 2007.

He told the committee he expected there would be disquiet from some quarters – but he believed the long-stay car park would mainly be used by residents and those who worked in the town. 

Cllr Hadlow said: “What we have to realise about this backlands area is it’s not going to be used by people trying to get onto the High Street.

“Most people who will park there will be residents, who aren’t going to have to leave their cars on the High Street, and traders.

“Traders are going to come in at 8.30am, park their cars and walk to work. 

“There won’t be any more vehicle movements on West Street – and there’ll be a small amount of movements throughout the day.”

Cllr Hadlow said this would alleviate congestion on the High Street as people wouldn’t slow down to look for a space. 

He added: “I have been trying to do this since 2007 and we desperately need to deliver this.”

Blueprints for a car park with as many as 100 spaces were drawn up for the land behind Uno Ristorante and Waterstones last year. 

Slow traffic on main Yarm routes has been a problem for years – and efforts to bring a long stay car park have rumbled on for decades. 

Stockton Council leaders will meet behind closed doors on February 27 to decide on a deal for the land. 

Meanwhile, the town council also heard how businesses in the town are seeking to review parking on West Street once again to free up space on the stretch during the week. 

A one hour limit is in force at the moment with resident permit holders allowed to park permanently. 

But the meeting heard there are few cars on the stretch from Monday to Friday.

Stockton Council wanted to introduce a three-hour parking limit on the street in 2018 but residents protested against the move and overturned the decision.

Talks on reviewing parking on West Street were due to take place at Stockton Council this week.