I feel I must give residents some early info on this issue. When the long-planned works to increase the number of parking spaces has been completed in Saltburn, the current Council administration, lead by Cllr Mary Lanigan, is planning to introduce parking charges on Marine Parade, as well as resident-only parking in the Jewel streets.

Now, I know from talking to visitors to Saltburn in our shop that they like the free parking, and are often surprised that it is all free. Perhaps it makes them more inclined to drive to Saltburn.

It is also possible that Jewel-street residents will find it easier to park, as long as the numbers of cars owned by residents in those streets does not exceed the number of spaces available.

However, my main concern about charging is the side-effect on the parking available in the rest of our town, as visiting motorists try to avoid being charged, as they will be naturally inclined to do.

In the course of time there will be an official public proposal of these plans, together with a formal consultation period, when residents can submit their views. In the meantime, residents can send their views informally to Cllr Lanigan at Mary.Lanigan@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk. If you want to copy me in I’d be grateful, as it will help your ward councillors to get a sense of residents views on charging, and if they have changed since 2014. (Craig.Hannaway@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk).