Northumberland Parking Strategy
The Council has adopted the Northumberland
Parking Strategy. The Strategy provides a comprehensive
framework for determining parking provision in Northumberland. It
aims to support the objectives of the Council’s sustainable
community strategy and provide a consistent and fair basis for
rationalising the policies and practices of the seven councils
brought together by local government reorganisation in April 2009.
View the
Northumberland Parking Strategy here
The size and diversity of Northumberland and
its communities means that a one size strategy cannot fit all. The
strategy therefore sets out a process whereby local communities can
be actively involved in developing local solutions that best meet
their needs. At the same time it addresses those areas that, in the
interests of fairness and effectiveness, are better determined at a
countywide level.
These include tariffs, concessions and
enforcement including the management of on-street parking. The
Council recognises that the management and enforcement of on-street
parking regulations has a direct bearing on congestion and on the
level of use of off-street car parks. Bringing on-street and
off-street parking under the control of one authority in the form
of Civil Parking Enforcement will greatly enhance the contribution
that effective parking controls can bring to overall transport
objectives.
The main changes that the strategy will bring
are:
- Implementing of Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE)
- Developing a countywide policy for the community use of parking
places
- Introducing a consistent approach to applying controls in
off-street car parks
- Harmonising Resident Parking Schemes
- Introducing a consistent approach to parking permit
concessions
- Introducing time limits for loading bays (following the
implementation of CPE)
- Introducing new dispensations and waivers including parking
permits for professional health carers (following the
implementation of CPE).
- Improving disabled parking in off-street car parks
Future changes to the strategy
It was agreed by the council that a Car
Parking Strategy Working Group be formed with cross party
representation. The remit of the working group is to consider
changes to the current Northumberland Parking Strategy (which was
adopted by the council in July 2011) and recommend changes to the
council executive. The members of the group are Councillors
Alan Armstrong (Chair), Grant Davey, Peter Jackson and Paul
Kelly. The working group is not tasked with discussing or
agreeing parking charge levels, this duty remains with the council
executive.
What has been implemented so far?
Resident Parking Schemes - We
have introduced the changes to resident parking schemes and all
permit holders have been notified of when the changes will take
effect. New terms and conditions have been introduced for new
applications. You can find out more information by contacting
parking services on 0845 600 6400, by emailing residentsparking@northumberland.gov.uk or
from Information Centres.
Civil Parking Enforcement –
The council has been granted the powers to enforce on-street
parking from April 2012. This means Northumberland County
Council will take over responsibility for enforcement from
Northumbria Police. We will provide a team of Civil Enforcement
Officers (CEOs) with the capability to carry out effective
enforcement of parking restrictions, waiting and loading
restrictions with continued enforcement of council owned or
managed car parks.
Parking Permit Concessions –
The executive made a commitment to reconsider implementing a new
countywide Shoppers Permit following the decision to withdraw the
existing Morpeth Shoppers Permit scheme. A new scheme is
being introduced in May 2012 for residents of Northumberland.
Further information will be available on the website in due
course.
Local Parking Issues –
Council officers have been working on a set of proposals for change
in each of the main towns following the parking review and
consultation on the strategy. Meetings are being arranged
with local stakeholders and the proposals will then be discussed
more widely through established community networks. Local
stakeholder discussion is essential in ensuring that parking
effectively meets the needs of users and the community. Proposals
are likely to include issues such as identifying short and long
stay needs, the availability and location of disabled parking
spaces, resident schemes, coach and lorry parking facilities.
Implementation of proposed changes will be published on the website
when agreed and updated as appropriate.
