Stockton Council is set to U-turn on its “reckless” decision to scrap an hour of free parking on Yarm High Street.

The council cabinet is set to recommend reintroducing free parking for the first hour in Stockton and Yarm town centres after backlash from residents and businesses earlier this year.

The cost-cutting decision to remove the first free hour - and add a £1.50 charge for the first three in its place - has been in place since February.

The move sparked fears that the town centre could be “killed off” - with businesses and residents left reeling in the months that followed.

Retailers said they felt shoppers had been “put off” coming to town, with some businesses even offering £1.50 discounts to draw customers in.

The council committed to reviewing the decision before February

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