Andrew Hebden is Assistant Editor (Business) of The Journal »
Matt James runs fingerprint-recognition technology firm UKB Security »
James Mills is a web developer in the North East of England and founder of Refresh Teesside »
Phil Renton is managing director of North East IT empire Croft »
Andrew Mernin is the Digital Journalist for nebusiness »
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Formerly editor of a national business lifestyle magazine, Jez Davison is a business writer for the Evening Gazette in Teesside »
Ian Brown, Northumberland farmer and businessman writes about the agricultural industry »
Accessibilty Champion Steve Wilkinson on the importance of inclusion »
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Marion Bernard is from NorthStar Equity Investors »
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John Barton of Renew, on the region's low carbon and sustainable energy agenda »
Paul Williamson is Senior Partner at Deloitte »
Stephen Hall is Tax Partner at Deloitte »MIDDLESBROUGH Council's bold initiative to protect local residents could backfire big style if it deters would-be commuters from spending their hard-earned cash in the town's shops and restaurants.
The residents-only parking/pay and display zone, which covers vast swathes of the town centre, is designed to protect local residents by giving them better car-parking access near their homes.
In theory it will also help to reduce the town's carbon footprint by encouraging non-residents to travel on public transport.
But green benefits could turn out to be lost gold for Middlesbrough's recession-hit businesses.
The scheme could inadvertently send more bargain-hunters to Teesside Park, which is easily accessible from the A66 and holds the trump card of plentiful, free parking slots.
Town centre retailers need this scheme like a hole in the head, even though some of them appreciate the benefits to residents.
Defenders of the scheme say that visitors can park their vehicles in CCTV-controlled areas for as little as £3 a day - hardly a bank-breaking amount for people lucky enough to have a regular income.
But that's still £15 a week or £60 a month for regular commuters to Middlesbrough.
People will only travel on the train or bus once Teesside's public transport network is ready to cope with a steep increase in passenger numbers.
Even some locals complain that bus journeys are too long and 'go around the houses', while train services are infrequent and, in some cases, unreliable.
The £180m Tees Valley Metro and the £62m upgrade of the local bus network will help - but these schemes are a few years from completion.
In fairness to the council, had it not implemented the parking scheme it would have been accused of failing to act in the interests of local residents - who are, after all, the taxpayers.
But in protecting them, the local authority may be denying local businesses much needed income.
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