UK high street set for £20m boost in ‘final piece of the jigsaw’ | UK | News

Fears that a £20 million boost to a UK high street could “devastate” the town has led to a public consultation.

Stockton Borough Council is planning to create seating areas and separate pedestrian zones from car parks on Yarm’s High Street, calling it the “final piece of the jigsaw”. But residents are concerned the design could encourage anti-social behaviour. Carole Jones, 70, told the BBC the bench could become a place where people could “pee when the pubs are closed” and “throw cans when the pubs are closed”.

Other residents complained that the municipality could have used the money to renovate and restore the existing one, rather than imposing modern structures on a Georgian town. Yarm-on-Tees, or simply Yarm, is a charming market town in North Yorkshire, England.

A survey by MP Matt Vickers has suggested residents of the North East town feel the council has not asked their thoughts on the issue before moving forward with project proposals.

Councilor Richard Eglington said no decisions had been made. “These proposals will be the final piece of the jigsaw, but we recognize it needs to be right for residents, businesses and visitors and that is why we are seeking views on whether the council should proceed with this plan,” he said.

You are invited to have your say on the proposed plan from Wednesday, December 10, 2025 until Monday, January 12, 2026. An online form is available to fill out. A series of drop-in sessions will also be held at Yarm Library for anyone who would like to discuss the program in more detail or complete a hard copy. Sessions will take place on the following dates:

• Thursday, December 11th between 14:00 – 18:00

• Tuesday, December 16th between 10:00 – 14:00

• Tuesday, January 6 between 10:00 – 14:00

The council said it would improve the look and feel of the high street and its accessibility to public transport, but one resident claimed “most people don’t want it”. But others think removing cars from the main street would make it more visually appealing.

Nine of the 324 parking spaces will be removed to make room for the renovation.

In 2020, the council surveyed residents. The findings were that people wanted to see better toilet facilities, improvements to long-term car parks, better cycle parking, more green space, improved footpaths and an improved town hall.