Car parks closed as people urged to stay at home - 25 March 2020
25 Mar 2020 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Car parks at some of the most beautiful tourism destinations along the Northumberland coast have had to be closed following the Government’s latest guidance on all non-essential travel and clear instruction that people should stay at home.
This has been another difficult decision from the County Council but it comes after a small minority ignored the Government’s national ‘stay at home’ advice and continued to visit some areas in numbers this week.
The the car parks that will close include:
Spittal, Berwick upon Tweed
Bamburgh
Holy Island
Seahouses
Craster
Beadnell
Newton Steads
Low Newton
Warkworth Beach Picnic Site
Amble Braid
Cresswell Dunes
Blyth Mermaid, Beachway and Ranch car parks
Fountain Head and Old Hartley car parks, Seaton Sluice
The council’s three main country parks which attract large numbers of tourists - Bolam Lake, Plessey Woods and Druridge Bay, along with the car parks at these sites, are also now closed, until further notice.
Urban country parks, parks and green spaces will remain open to enable local residents to exercise, but playgrounds will be closed, and all residents should strictly follow Government guidance on social distancing and gatherings. This will be kept under review and may be subject to further change, if required.
All public toilets in the county will also be closed until further notice.
Council Leader Peter Jackson said: “While our beautiful environment and our country parks are some of the jewels in the crown of our great county it is important for us to take these steps in line with Government guidance on non-essential travel as a means of persuading people to stay at home.
“The Government guidance is very clear - people should stay at home and avoid social contact to protect the NHS and save lives - and it’s disappointing a small minority aren’t taking this seriously enough.
“Over recent days a number of our country parks and tourist car parks were still very busy so we’ve had to take action. It is imperative every single one of us heeds the Government’s messages on not going out unless strictly necessary. Following this guidance will help save many lives.”
More information on the latest Government guidance is HERE