Councillors clashed in a heated debate at Thursday’s council meeting over the contentious issue just days after the local authority proposed raising parking charges across the town centre.
The Conservative motion, led by party leader councillor Jonathan Dulston, said free parking during the festive period would provide a “much-needed lifeline” to small businesses and encourage town centre footfall.
Councillor Dulston told councillors: “One of the easiest things this council can do is offer free car parking. I understand it has a financial impact but we have to be honest, we will be competing with places like Teesside Park. On the doorstep, the decision to scrap free parking still sticks in people’s throats. We have to protect small businesses.”
Conservative colleague Scott Durham went further and warned: “If the council does not support this motion then they are failing town centre businesses.”
He added: “When they’re gone they’re gone.”
But rival Labour members repeatedly defended the council’s decision to scrap the free parking offer last year, warning it was not financially viable, and said Darlington town centre is one of the best in the Tees Valley.
Labour council leader Stephen Harker told councillors criticising the council to “give your head a wobble”. He added: “Do you actually visit the town centre? It’s tremendous.”
Footfall data shows the number of people visiting the town has decreased every month – except November – when comparing figures between 2022/23 and 2023/24. But the full council meeting was told people are visiting Darlington less frequently but are spending longer in its car parks.
Councillor Chris McEwan said: “We have a good offer here in Darlington and we are bucking the trend.”
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Amid the news that car parking charges could increase to £1.20 per hour in short stay car parks, Libby McCollom, cabinet member for local services, said: “Subsidising car parking is not sustainable and is not fair.”
The majority of Labour and Green Party members voted against the motion to introduce free parking over the festive period.
Following the vote, cllr Dulston told the Labour/ Liberal Democrat administration: “You’re so far out of touch with the reality of Darlington residents. You’re going to kill Christmas.”
