Parking charges changes after consultation
29 Jan 2019 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Residents’ feedback on proposed changes to some council car parks has led to a number of suggested refinements to the original plans.
Revised parking charges are being considered at a number of sites to help to manage demand in the busiest car parks, and make maintaining and managing parking services more financially sustainable.
The charges would also help finance future investment in parking services, while helping to safeguard key front-line services that ensure the county remains an attractive place to live, work in or visit.
Views were sought last year on plans to increase charges at six out of the seven car parks where charging is already in place. Proposals were also put forward to introduce parking charges at seven coastal tourist car parks, four railway station car parks and at Tyne Riverside Country Park.
However, following a detailed consultation, it is now recommended the proposed charges at Haltwhistle and Prudhoe Rail Stations are withdrawn to keep them in line with other stations along the Tyne Valley Line, along with withdrawing plans for charges at Tyne Riverside Country Park.
Changes are also being considered for south east Northumberland, where it is recognised that the visitor/tourism economy is less well established than in the north of the county. This is an area that the Council is keen to develop further to support the economic regeneration and employment growth in the area.
It is therefore being recommended that the charging proposals for the coastal car parks at Cresswell, Blyth and Seaton Sluice should be withdrawn.
The Council has also proposed refinements to the tariffs which it intends to implement, including maintaining provision for shorter stays at Craster, Seahouses and Newton as well as phasing in the increased charge for its annual car park permit, so it’s more affordable for commuters.
The County Council is also committed to maintaining its policy of retaining free parking in main town centres to support the local economy.
To see the full list of proposed changes GO HERE
Councillor Glen Sanderson, Cabinet member for Environment and Local Services, said: “I always said that this was a genuine consultation and that we would not just ask for views but listen to them and then act upon them.
“We’ve listened carefully to all the feedback and I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to have their say.
“I’ve had a number of face to face meetings and dealt with a large amount of correspondence and as a result of these comments we’ve made a number of changes and refinements to the proposals, where it was considered appropriate to do so, and I think this strikes the right balance, taking on board all the views put forward.
“As a council that listens, we feel introducing charges in some areas wasn’t the right thing to do at the moment.
“It’s also important to note we will maintain our policy of free parking in main town centres to support the local economy’.
The feedback from the consultation exercise and revised proposals will be considered in detail by the council’s scrutiny committee and Cabinet next month, with the Cabinet deciding the final outcome.
If agreed, it is expected that all of the new charges will be phased in over the coming months.