Have your say on the impact of the removal of the first free hour of car parking in Stockton and Yarm

Residents, visitors and local businesses are invited to have their say on the impact of the removal of the first free hour if car parking across Council owned car parks in Stockton and Yarm. 

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is asking for views as part of a commitment the Council's Cabinet made to review the charging arrangements, which were implemented in February 2025.

The decision to remove the first free hour was taken with the aim of balancing the need to cover the costs of maintaining and managing car parking, with ensuring the Borough's town centres remain appealing to shoppers and visitors.

A short public survey is available to complete on the Council's website from Monday 15 September until 11:59 on Monday 13 October.

The views shared will form part of the detailed review, alongside information and data from other sources, such as footfall and dwell time data.

How can I have my say?

You can access the online consultation form here.

Hard copies of the survey are also available to complete at:

• Stockton Central Library, Church Road, Stockton. TS18 1TU
• Yarm Library, 41 High Street, Yarm. TS15 9BH

First hour free over Christmas

In addition to the review and to support residents and businesses with their Christmas shopping and other town centre activities, the first hour's car parking in Council-owned short stay car parks will be offered free of charge from Monday 24 November until 31 January.

What do Councillors think?

Councillor Paul Rowling, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources and Transport, said: "The Council's Cabinet made a commitment to review the impact of the removal of the first free hour of car parking after a period of time.

"As part of this review, we want to hear from residents, local businesses and visitors to both Stockton and Yarm about what this has meant for them. We appreciate their concerns about parking charges, as well as enforcement and long stay parking. We have met, and will continue to meet, with businesses to listen to their views.

"We are aware that the Christmas trading period is a very important time for businesses in our town centres who rely on a successful festive trade. To give them some certainty about the arrangements over the Christmas period, while we carry out the review, we will be offering the first hour free in both Stockton and Yarm short stay car parks from 24 November until 31 January.

"As well as helping businesses prepare for the festive period, this will also give us the time we need to consider the survey responses alongside the data. All of the information gathered will inform a thorough and detailed review which will help us consider future charging arrangements."

The review of the findings will be considered by the Council's Cabinet in December 2025.