MP says council is 'dragging feet' over new Yarm car park

For years, gridlocked traffic and major congestion on the Yarm crawl has been a major issue for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. 

The town currently has two long-stay car parks at Castle Dyke Wynd and The Old Market, but despite a new 55-space car park opening off West Street in 2022, concerns still remain. 

The council had previously held initial conversations over a patch of privately-owned scrubland underneath Yarm Viaduct as a potential site for a new car park. 

It is understood that the site was identified as far back as 2007 - and reached a breakthrough in 2019 when the council and Network Rail agreed to provide access to it. 

In 2020, it was confirmed that the owner, Cleveland Cable Company tycoon Alastair Powell, was happy to offer up the parcel of land.

However, six years on and there have been no developments at the site, which was said to have the opportunity for about 100 parking spaces.

Now, Stockton West MP Matt Vickers has argued that the council has “not got on with delivering a solution that’s looking them in the face” and are “letting a huge opportunity go to waste”.

Yarm High Street (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

The Northern Echo understands that, following conversations, the council has branded the site unsuitable for a public car park due to issues with safe access.

It is understood that the site would not support a two-way traffic flow and is immediately outside the front doors of several residents. 

A spokesperson reiterated that the council will continue to explore viable options. 

Mr Vickers said: “People in Yarm are fed up with the endless delays and being used as a cash cow. Residents, businesses and visitors have been raising concerns about parking for years and the council still hasn’t got on with delivering a solution that’s looking them in the face.

Stockton West MP Matt Vickers (Image: CONTRIBUTOR)

 “Since 2018 the council has had the permission of a private landowner willing to make land available for a new car park in Yarm. I secured agreement from Network Rail to allow access under the arches.  

“Years later, despite that progress being made, residents are still waiting for the Council to get on and deliver the additional parking Yarm needs

“Instead they are allowing a huge opportunity to go to waste.

 “The council needs to pull its finger out, stop dragging its feet and finally move this project forward. 

The land underneath the viaduct has long been suggested for a new car park (image from 2020)

“If we are serious about supporting Yarm’s High Street and ensuring the town continues to thrive, then improving parking provision has to be part of the plan.”

Yarm’s traffic woes have long been a contentious issue in the town, made even more potent by the growing number of housing developments and further plans for more estates nearby.

Stockton Council opened a new “much needed” long-stay car park off West Street in 2022, hoping to ease parking pressures.

Yarm's West Street car park (Image: GOOGLE)

The site, previously occupied by the Arncliffe Buildings, was secured for a 30 year period. 

The town’s parking provision hit the headlines again last year when the council was forced to U-turn on its “reckless” decision to scrap an hour of free parking on the High Street. 

The cost-cutting decision to remove the first free hour - and add a £1.50 charge for the first three in its place - was brought in in February 2025 but was reversed in December.  

Parking on the High Street is now set at £2 for two hours and £3.50 for more than three hours, with a £3.50 charge to park at the West Street car park all day.