Controversial Yarm cobbles work to begin next week as Stockton Council criticise 'ludicrous claims'

Stockton Council say inaccurate claims about scheme is 'scaremongering' - but more than 640 people sign online petition against plans

Stockton Council has criticised “ludicrous claims” about work on Yarm’s famous cobbles.

Work will begin next week on controversial plans to replace the surface in the town’s High Street.

But Stockton Council says there have been a series of inaccurate claims surrounding the plans to improve the paving around Yarm Town Hall and war memorial including suggestions that purple-coloured paving will be installed, or that all the cobbles along the whole high street would be replaced with asphalt.

Leader of Stockton Council Cllr Bob Cook said: “Sadly, many of these ludicrous claims are the result of scaremongering. What we are planning is a scheme to provide improved access to the war memorial and town hall, which houses a disabled toilet.

“The scheme is confined to this particular area of the high street, where the cobbles are in a poor state of repair and need regular replacement due to extensive damage caused by high levels of traffic. I cannot stress enough that this is a high quality scheme using high quality materials. We have been in contact with English Heritage and they are understanding of our position.”

But many locals are opposed to the scheme, with more than 640 people signing an online petition against the plans in less than a fortnight.

Terry Murphy, former Yarm councillor, started the petition and said: “To propose removal, and on the back of a consultation with a dysfunctional town council and the distribution of a few hundred leaflets is arrogant, even clandestine. To propose the changes in the most sensitive location - adjacent to the town hall - is quite ridiculous.”

The council say cobbles in the immediate vicinity of the town hall will be replaced with “high quality” Yorkshire stone, complemented by a small area of granite cobble setts which will surface the road around the loading bay next to the town hall.

The materials are hard wearing and used in many European cities where there is a high traffic flow. Any undamaged cobbles will be stored for use when repairs are needed to other areas of High Street. Two bus shelters will also be installed.

The work forms part of an overall £500,000 council investment in Yarm, and will last for 12 weeks. The street’s pelican crossings will also be upgraded to puffin crossings.