More than 14,000 web users view Stockton redevelopment

Artist's impression of a revamped South High Street

A £20m plan to revamp a Teesside town has been viewed by thousands of people.

Stockton council aims to regenerate its town centre to attract more shoppers and businesses.

The council said plans on its website had received 14,000 hits and the interest had been "tremendous".

The plan includes building a new plaza to give views of the town's Infinity bridge and introducing short-stay parking near to the High Street.

The council said of those 14,000 hits, 10,000 were new web visitors.

Market plans

A town centre shop unit hosting an exhibition on the proposals had also proved popular, the council said.

Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton Council's cabinet member for the environment, said: "The response so far has been tremendous, with hundreds of people calling in at the exhibition over the first few days.

"We are encouraging people to fill in questionnaires about their views of the proposals and they can do this either at the exhibition or online."

He stressed the council was not in favour of removing the market from the town.

He added: "Stockton's markets are a huge asset for the town centre and have been at its heart for 700 years. We do understand that some market traders have concerns and we will meet them this week to discuss these."