Northumberland County Council is helping to ease some of the stresses and pressures on those who are out last-minute Christmas shopping by relaxing time limits within its free town centre car parks. 

 

From Sunday 20 December to Sunday 27 December the Council will not be enforcing time limits, so there is no requirement for users to display a parking disk to confirm their time of arrival when parking in the free town centre off-street car parks. 

 

Cllr Glen Sanderson, leader of Northumberland County Council said:  "Supporting our local economy is a priority and we want to encourage residents and visitors to shop locally.   

 

“Therefore, during the week from 20 to 27 December, time limits in all of our town centre off-street car parks will be relaxed, allowing visitors to stay for longer without the added challenge and pressure of returning to their vehicle within the advertised time period.  

 

“Whilst our Civil Enforcement Officers will still be working during this time, they will be focusing their enforcement on town centre on-street parking restrictions, which are essential to keeping traffic moving and preventing town centre congestion.   

 

“We hope that this goes some way to supporting shoppers and businesses in the run up to Christmas and over the holiday period." 

 

Shoppers and town centre visitors should be aware that on-street parking restrictions such as single and double yellow lines, disabled bays and loading bays will continue to be enforced, as these are key to keeping traffic moving and preventing congestion.  

 

Time limits on normal parking bays on the street in town centres will also still be enforced. 

 

You can find full details of all car parks in Northumberland at www.northumberland.gov.uk/parking    

 

Please remember when out shopping to continue to follow all of the Covid-safe measures – washing your hands regularly, wearing a face covering and keeping a safe distance, between yourself and others.   

 

Please protect yourself, protect others, protect Northumberland.