Town council fails in High Court challenge to new parking scheme

A local authority has successfully fought off a town council’s High Court challenge to new parking arrangements.

The case was the latest stage in Yarm Town Council’s long-running battle with Stockton Council over the introduction of pay-and-display parking.

Yarm had sought to argue that Stockton’s plans were irrational and that there had been procedural flaws.

But Judge Behrens concluded that there were no public law grounds upon with Stockton’s decision could be challenged.

The High Court ruling was welcomed by Stockton Council. Cllr Mike Smith, its Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, said:
“The decision is not a surprise as it is yet another confirmation that we continue to follow a proper process to improve parking arrangements in Yarm."

Cllr Smith said the legality of the parking arrangements in Yarm had now been challenged in two police investigations, at the High Court and at the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.

“In every case the Council has been fully exonerated and the parking arrangements in Yarm have been found to be sound,” he said.

"These challenges are a huge drain on public resources at a time of huge pressures on local authority budgets. The costs in terms of officers’ time, police time and court time are also enormous. It is a tragedy that the costs of this legal case, which will be more than £50,000, will fall on the people of Yarm.”

He called on the town council to accept the ruling and work towards a solution, “rather than to pursue more costly legal challenges or deliberate parking fines".

Cllr Smith said that Stockton awaited a formal submission of an alternative proposal on parking from the town council and would take this to Cabinet for consideration.

“Following the outcome of this we will be back out to consult in detail with the public over the coming months,” he said.