Morpeth town centre’s newest free carpark is open for business – providing hundreds of new spaces for residents and visitors.
 

The Goosehill carpark, on the site of the former first school, contains 128 standard parking bays, eight disabled bays and six electric vehicle charging spaces. 
 

The carpark is free with a maximum stay of 24 hours, no return within 4 hours, and is part of the council’s long-term strategy to increase and improve carparking in Northumberland. 
 

Councillor John Riddle, Cabinet Member for Local Services, said: “We’re very pleased to declare this carpark now open for use. 
 

“Converting this old school site brought some unexpected technical challenges, including having to relocate uncharted utilities and close off an old disused culvert, which the team has worked hard to resolve. 
 

“We’ve now got hundreds of new spaces and a range of EV charging points available as we approach the busy pre-Christmas shopping rush and we’re confident it will prove popular – being a two-minute walk from the town centre.” 
 

Morpeth Stobhill Councillor John Beynon said: “Morpeth has needed more car parking spaces, especially long-term ones, which will help people who work in the town to park more easily and also free up town centre spaces for shoppers and visitors, economically benefiting Morpeth.” 
 

Morpeth North Councillor David Bawn added: "I am really pleased that we are now in a position to deliver these much-needed additional spaces in Morpeth.  
 

“For some time, the Council has been aware of the desperate need for further long-stay spaces in the town centre and now we are addressing this need.