TRADERS, councillors and residents are joining forces in a pioneering bid to give Yarm a boost.

A whole raft of issues came under the spotlight on Monday as a ground-breaking meeting was held in the town.

After hearing that Yarm was "at a crossroads", moves will now be made to deliver action on problem areas.

Top of the list is the town's chronic parking situation. The meeting felt retailing needed to keep Yarm alive was being stifled by nightmare traffic snarl-ups along the High Street. Under-funding by Stockton Council was also seen as a problem.

A small group will now meet to consider priorities for action.

The meeting was called by town council chairman, Coun Liz Marsden, in the wake of comments that traders were not doing enough to brighten up the High Street.

The agenda included:

l Extending Christmas lights and decorations;

l Flowers and tree planting;

l The future of the town hall and public toilets;

l Development of the town centre;

l Best use of historic buildings.

"We need to work together as there are issues which alone we can't take forward," she said. "We need to improve the High Street. It is lovely and has potential but nothing much is happening."

Businesswoman Jane Parker said traders had not been treated fairly on parking.

"Workers are taking up spaces which could be used by shoppers," she said. "Traders have spent a lot of money on this town but they can't do business because of the parking nightmare."

Coun Jake Dale said Yarm needed to develop a sense of direction. "The town is at a crossroads," he said. "It has little self-determination as to its role. It is no good making excuses for not being able to influence issues.

"We are part of Stockton and the authority acts for the greater good of the borough, not just for Yarm.

"The town council is often powerless to do what we want to do on your behalf because of this mechanism."

Coun Marsden admitted the High Street was in decline.

"There is a lot of change and empty properties. But we want shops not offices," she said. "We need retail trade to keep Yarm alive but we can't have that without a car park."

Peter Moore, vice-chairman of the chamber of trade, said: "Yarm is the jewel in the crown with minimum funding from the borough. The feeling is if it isn't broken, don't mend it.

"But Stockton does not realise how broken it is and some funding would make a tremendous difference."

A small group comprising the civic society, residents, traders and councillors will now meet to move things forward and report back.

l See Page 5.