Parking locations & charges

Here you will find your nearest council-managed car park in Northumberland and can check the charges and restrictions that apply.

Important information about our car parks and payment options

 

Craster Quarry car park - due to the location of this car park the Wi-Fi signal is often weak or intermittent which affects the Pay By Phone service. We are working with our suppliers to improve Wi-Fi connectivity, however the three ticket machines located within the car park offer an alternative way to pay. All ticket machines accept coins and the ticket machine nearest the Tourist Information Centre also accepts contactless card payments
 
 

We now offer Pay By Phone facility in all our Pay and Display parking locations.  
 

Pay By Phone is used by many local authorities across the country. Users only need to set up an account once and then it can be used in all car parks where Pay By Phone is in operation. The service also offers additional benefits such as being able to extend parking sessions remotely. We recommend  downloading the app prior to visiting our car parks if this is your preferred payment method. 
  

Beware of fraudulent sites masquerading as PayByPhone on Google 

 

We have recently become aware of several fraudulent companies masquerading as PayByPhone on Google. These companies are using advertising to trick people into visiting a website that pretends to be the PayByPhone site. 

 

These sites require you to register then ask for your credit or debit card details and charge you a subscription. PayByPhone does not provide any subscription service and will never charge your card without your authorisation. 

 

PayByPhone are working with the relevant authorities to have these sites removed, however, in the meantime we would urge you to exercise caution when providing your credit or debit card details online in case the site is fraudulent. Rest assured the authentic PayByPhone site remains a secure platform, which is PCI level 1 compliant - the highest level of security for processing payments. All cardholder data is heavily encrypted.  

To avoid these scams, the safest and most secure way to use PayByPhone remains: 

 

  • Download the PayByPhone app directly from the App Store or Google Play Store.

  • Visit the website by entering PayByPhone.co.uk directly into the search bar.

  • Dial 0330 400 7275 to use the automated phone line. 

  

For further information on the implementation of Pay By Phone, please click here 

 

 

Here you will find your nearest council-managed car park in Northumberland and can check the charges and restrictions that apply.

Parking Discs 

 

You will need to display a parking disc, set at the time you arrive, in our short stay parking places in Alnwick, Berwick, Hexham, Morpeth and Ponteland. The long stay car parks don’t require a disc. 
 
Parking discs cost £1 each and you can get one from: 

  • libraries 

  • tourist information centres 

  • customer information centres 

  • local businesses - see the signage on display in the car parks which list all nearby disc stockists 

  • disc dispensers are also available in some car parks 

 

Parking discs issued with Blue Badges or from other local authorities can also be used. 
 

Remember to check the signs when you park for the time limits that apply and other parking information. 

Long stay parking: 

 

  • Pay and display charges apply 24 hours per day, Monday to Sunday including bank holidays.

  • You can park for up to 72 hours (Monday to Sunday including bank holidays)- after this time you must remove your vehicle for a period of 6 hours or more before returning.  Time limit applies to all types of parking bay.

 
Parking place Max stay Parking disc required Cost
Alnmouth Railway Station (Northbound) All day No £1.50 - upto 24 hours
£3.00 -  upto 48 hours
£4.50 - upto 72 hours

Short stay parking time limits: 

 

  • Car parks - 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday including bank holidays 

  • On-street - 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday including bank holidays 

 

 

Long stay parking: 

 

  • All day car parks - You can park for up to 24 hours (Monday to Sunday including bank holidays) after this time you must remove your vehicle for a period of 4 hours or more before returning.  Time limit applies to all types of parking bay. 

Parking place Max stay Parking disc required Cost Further information
Bondgate Hill Cobbles 2 hours Yes Free Some bays suitable for motorhomes
 
Bondgate Within 30 minutes or upto 2 hours Yes Free Some bays have a 30 minute time limit, please check local signage
Clayport Street 2 hours Yes Free  
Fenkle Street 2 hours Yes Free Some bays suitable for motorhomes
Market Street 2 hours Yes Free  
Pottergate 3 hours Yes Free  
Dispensary Street All day No Free Some bays suitable for motorhomes
Greenwell Road (A) 3 hours Yes Free Designated motorhome parking bays available
Greenwell Road (B) All day No Free  
Greenwell Road (C) All day No Free  
Greenwell Road (D) 3 hours Yes Free Designated coach parking bays available
Greenwell Road (E) All day No Free  
Pottergate New Row All day No Free  
Roxburgh Place All day No Free Some bays suitable for motorhomes
Short stay parking time limits - Car parks - 8am to 6pm Monday to Sunday including bank holidays
 
Long stay parking - You can park for up to 72 hours (Monday to Sunday including bank holidays)- after this time you must remove your vehicle for a period of 6 hours or more before returning. 
 
Parking place Max stay Parking disc required Cost Further information
Turner Street East All day

No

 
1 hour Free 
2 hours £1.00
3 hours £1.50
All day £3.00 
You must display a valid ticket/or have a valid parking session for all stays  
Turner Street West All day
No
 
1 hour Free 
2 hours £1.00
3 hours £1.50
All day £3.00 
You must display a valid ticket/or have a valid parking session for all stays  
Amble Dunes All day No Free Suitable for motorhomes
Amble Braid All day No Free Suitable for motorhomes
Blue Bell All day No Free  
Amble Links (2) Island View All day No Free Suitable for motorhomes
Beacon Hill All day No Free Suitable for motorhomes
Amble Links (1) All day No Free Suitable for motorhomes
Togston Links All day No Free Suitable for motorhomes
Queen Street 1 Hour No Free  
Time limits apply from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday (including bank holidays). All council run car parks in this location are free and do not require a parking disc.

  

Parking place 

Max stay 

Parking disc required 

Cost 

Further information 

Station Yard Short Stay 

2 hours 

No 

Free 

  

Station Yard Long Stay 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Cricket Club 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Dairy House 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

John Street 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Haldane Street 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Park Road 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Woodhorn Road 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Institute Road 

All day 

No 

Free 

 

Short stay parking time limits: 

 

  • Car parks - 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday including bank holidays 

  • On-street - 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday including bank holidays 

 

Long stay parking: 

 

  • All day car parks (except Berwick Railway Station) - You can park for up to 24 hours (Monday to Sunday including bank holidays)-after this time you must remove your vehicle for a period of 4 hours or more before returning. 

  • Berwick Railway Station - You can park for up to 72 hours (Monday to Sunday including bank holidays)- after this time you must remove your vehicle for a period of 6 hours or more before returning. 

  • Time limit applies to all types of parking bay. 

  • Pay and display charges apply 24 hours per day, Monday to Sunday including bank holidays in Berwick Railway Station car park.

     

Parking place 

Max stay 

Parking disc required 

Cost 

Further information 

Hide Hill 

1 hour 

Yes 

Free 

  

Bridge Street 

2 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Chapel Street 

2 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Chapel Street car park 

2 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Church Street 

2 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Eastern Lane car park 

2 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Sandgate 

2 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Castlegate  short stay car park 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Parade 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Waugh Place car park 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Woolmarket 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Woolmarket car park 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Wallace Green 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Castlegate long stay 

All day 

No 

Free 

Some bays suitable for motorhomes 

Castlegate overflow 

All day 

No 

Free 

Some bays suitable for motorhomes 

Coxons Lane 

All day 

No 

Free 

 

Foul Ford 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Hatters Lane 

All day 

No  

Free 

  

Quayside 

All day 

No 

Free 

 

Berwick Railway Station 

All day 

No 

£3.50* 

  

 
* 20 minutes free in designated bays only. 

 
You can use our PayByPhone facility. Alternatively, the ticket machines at Berwick Railway Station accept cash and card payments. 
 
 Car park map 

 

Parking place Max stay Parking disc required Cost Further information
Freehold Street All day No Free  
High Street All day No Free  
Keel Row All day No Free  
King Street All day No Free  
Blyth Sports Centre All day No Free Desginated coach parking bays available

We have a range of pay and display and free coastal car parks from as far north as Berwick stretching down the Northumberland coast to Seaton Sluice.

Charges apply from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Sunday (including bank holidays)

We have a range of pay and display and free coastal car parks from as far north as Berwick stretching down the Northumberland coast to Seaton Sluice. 

Charges apply from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Sunday (including bank holidays) 
 
You can park for up to 72 hours (Monday to Sunday including bank holidays)- after this time you must remove your vehicle for a period of 6 hours or more before returning.  Time limit applies to all types of parking bay. 

You must display a valid ticket/or have a valid parking session for all stays. 
  

Parking place 

Max stay 

Parking disc required 

Cost 

Further information 

Links Road, Bamburgh 

All day 

No 

3 hours 
£5.00 
4 hours 
£6.00 
5 hours 
£7.00 
All day 
£8.00 

Designated coach parking bays available 
4 hrs - £7.50 
All day - £11.00 

Some bays suitable for motorhomes 

 

Beadnell 

All day 

No 

1 hour 
Free 
3 hours £5.00 
All day 
£7.00 

You must display a valid ticket/or have a valid parking session for all stays  

High Newton car park 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Mermaid, Blyth 

All day 

No 

Free 

Designated coach parking bays available 

Some bays suitable for motorhomes 

Ranch Links, Blyth 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Beachway, Blyth 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Fountain Head, Seaton Sluice 

All day 

No 

Free 

Suitable for motorhomes  

  

Old Hartley, Seaton Sluice 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Church Point car park, Newbiggin 

All day 

No 

Free 

Designated coach parking bays available 

Some bays suitable for motorhomes 

Craster car park, Low Newton car park, Newton Steads car park 

All day 

No 

1 hour 
£1.80 
2 hours 
£3.50 
3 hours 
£5.00 
All day 
£7.00 

 Suitable for motorhomes 

 

Chare Ends car park, Holy Island 

All day 

No 

3 hours 
£5.00 
4 hours 
£6.00 
5 hours 
£7.00 
All day 
£8.00 

 Suitable for motorhomes 

 

Green Lane car park, Holy Island 

All day 

No 

4 hours  
£7.50 
All Day 
£11.00 

Coaches and Blue Badge holder parking only (Blue Badge free of charge) 

Suitable for motorhomes 

 
 
  

Station Yard, Seahouses 

All day 

No 

1 hour 
Free 
2 hours £3.50 
3hours £5.00 
All day £8.00 

Designated coach parking bays available 
4 hours - £7.50 
All day - £11.00 
 
Station Yard Overflow car park is suitable for Motorhomes, do not obstruct other bays when parking. 
 
You must display a valid ticket/or have a valid parking session for all stays. 

 

Charges apply from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday (including bank holidays). 
 
In Corbridge Village car park, you can park for up to 72 hours (Monday to Sunday including bank holidays)- after this time you must remove your vehicle for a period of 6 hours or more before returning.  Time limit applies to all types of parking bay. 
  

Parking place 

Max stay 

Parking disc required 

Cost 

Further Information 

Corbridge Village car park 

All day  

No 

Free  

  

Church Lane 
Hill Street 
St Helens Street 
Front Street 
Watling Street 
Princes Street 
Main Street 
Well Bank 

3 hours 

No 

30 min free 
1 hour £1.00 
2 hours £1.30 
3 hours £2.00 

You must display a valid ticket/or have a valid parking session for all stays  
  

Parking place Max stay Parking disc required Cost Further information
Middle Farm All day No Free  
Smithy Square All day No Free  
Manor Walks  4-6* Hrs No Free Manor Walks car park is managed by Excel Parking Services Limited.
 *Click here to visit the Manor Walks website for more information about parking.
Parking place Max stay Parking disc required Cost Further information
Fair Hill All day No Free  
Lanty’s Lonnen All day No Free  
Railway Station All day No Free  

 

Short stay parking time limits: 

 

  • Car parks - 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday including bank holidays 

  • On-street - 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday including bank holidays (see local signage for variations) 

 

Long stay parking: 

 

  • All day car parks - You can park for up to 24 hours (Monday to Sunday including bank holidays) but you must remove your vehicle for a period of 4 hours or more before returning.  Time limit applies to all types of parking bay. 

  

Parking place 

Max stay 

Parking disc required 

Cost 

Further information 

Market Place 

1 hour 

Yes 

Free 

  

Beaumont Street 

2 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Market Street 

2 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Priestpopple 

2 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

St Marys Wynd 

2 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Wentworth short stay (red bays only) 

2 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Gilesgate short stay 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Loosing Hill 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Wentworth medium stay (blue bays only) 

4 hours 

Yes 

Free 

Some bays suitable for motorhomes 

Gilesgate long stay 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Hexham Fire Station 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Tyne Green 

All day 

No 

Free 

Suitable for motorhomes 

Tyne Mills 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Wentworth long stay (white bays only) 

All day 

No 

Free 

Some bays suitable for motorhomes 
  

Wentworth coach park 

All day 

No 

4 hours £4 
All day 
£6 

Please note that charges apply all day, everyday including bank holidays. 
Visiting coaches from outside Tynedale may park free of charge 

 
There are also a number of private parking providers in Hexham. 
  

Parking place 

Max stay 

Control method 

Aldi car park 

90 minutes 

CCTV 

Homebase car park 

2 hours 

CCTV 

Tesco car park 

3 hours 

CCTV 

Beales car park 

3 hours 

Pay and display 

Marks & Spencer car park 

4 hours 

Pay and display 

Corbridge Road car park 

All day 

Pay and display 

Hexham Station car park 

All day 

Pay and display 

Short stay parking time limits: 

 

  • Car parks - 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday including bank holidays. 

 

Long stay parking: 

 

  • All day car parks (except Morpeth Railway Station) - You can park for up to 24 hours (Monday to Sunday including bank holidays) but you must remove your vehicle for a period of 4 hours or more before returning 

  • Morpeth Railway Station - You can park for up to 72 hours (Monday to Sunday including bank holidays)- after this time you must remove your vehicle for a period of 6 hours or more before returning.  Please note this is a pay and display car park. 

  • Time limit applies to all types of parking bay 

  • *Staithes Lane Car Park opening hours - 8am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 4pm, Sunday. All vehicles left in the car park at closing time will be locked in until the following morning. 

  • ** Gas House Lane opening times - 8am to 6pm, Monday to Sunday. All vehicles left in the car park at closing time will be locked in until the following morning.  

  

Parking place 

Max stay 

Parking disc required 

Cost 

Further information 

Back Riggs 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Castle Square 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Corporation Yard 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Dacre Street 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Newmarket East 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Newmarket West 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

St James short stay 
(red bays only) 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Stanley Terrace North 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Stanley Terrace South 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

The Terrace short stay 
(red bays only) 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

Closed 1 March 2021 until late 2022 
See note below 

Whalebone Lane (A) 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Whalebone Lane (B) 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Whalebone Lane (C) 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Whalebone Lane (D) 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Gas House Lane** 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Greys Yard 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Matheson's Gardens 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Morpeth Railway Station (South) 

All day 

No 

£3.00 

  

Morpeth Railway Station (West) 

All day 

No 

£3.00 

  

St James long stay 
(white bays only) 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Staithes Lane* 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

The Terrace long stay 
(white bays only) 

All day 

No 

Free 

Closed 1 March 2021 until late 2022 
See note below 

Goose Hill  

All Day 

No 

Free 

 

 
 

The Terrace Car Park  

Willmott Dixon Construction Limited has been appointed by Northumberland County Council to construct the new leisure centre located on the vacant land on Gas House Lane in Morpeth. Construction activities will commence on 1st March and run until late 2022.  

 

The closure of The Terrace Car Park is necessary to house the construction site compound and will be unavailable for public use throughout the construction period. The Council has acquired a replacement long stay car park on Gas House Lane to mitigate any loss of town centre parking from the temporary loss of The Terrace Car Park.  

 

Updates on the progress of the work will be located on the site hoarding.  

 

Short stay parking time limits: 

 

  • Car parks - 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday including bank holidays 

  • On-street - 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday including bank holidays 

Long stay parking: 

 

  • All day car parks - You can park for up to 24 hours (Monday to Sunday including bank holidays) but you must remove your vehicle for a period of 4 hours or more before returning.  Time limit applies to all types of parking bay 

  

Parking place 

Max stay 

Parking disc required 

Cost 

Further information 

Thornhill Road (Short Stay) 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Thornhill Road (Long Stay) 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Merton Way South (Short Stay) 

3 hours 

Yes 

Free 

  

Merton Way North 

All day 

No 

Free 

 

Merton Way South (Long Stay) 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Ponteland Leisure Centre 

All day 

No  

Free 

 

Parking place 

Max stay 

Parking disc required 

Cost 

Further information 

Fair View 

All day 

No 

Free 

 Suitable for motorhomes 

 

Neale Street 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Oaklands 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

 

Parking place 

Max stay 

Parking disc required 

Cost 

Further information 

Beggars Rigg 

All day 

No 

Free 

 Suitable for motorhomes 

 

Cowhaugh car 

All day 

No 

Free 

Designated coach parking bays 
Some bays suitable for motorhomes 

Parking place 

Max stay 

Parking disc required 

Cost 

Further information 

Padgepool Place 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Ramsey's Lane 

All day 

No 

Free 

  

Wooler Bus Station 

2 hours 

No 

Free 

Designated coach parking bays available 

Some bays suitable for motorhomes 

Here you will find out about parking discs and ticket machines, car park maps, parking large vehicles like motor homes and trading in car parks.

Car park maps 

 

View our town centre parking maps below: 

 

 

Or you can view our countywide maps - some areas aren’t yet included because the maps are still under construction: 

 

We maintain our pay and display machines regularly, but technical issues are sometimes unavoidable. If you’re parking where a ticket machine isn’t working, follow these steps: 

 

  1. Check for other ticket machines in the parking area and buy a pay and display ticket. 

  1. Call 0345 600 6400 to report the fault - if you can, with the fault description, location and ticket machine number. 

  1. There are other ways to pay, therefore if you are unable to buy a ticket from a ticket machine you can use the PayByPhone service. Information for this service is displayed on ticket machines and throughout the car park. You can access paybyphone by 

Visiting www.paybyphone.co.uk/Northumberland 

Telephoning 0330 400 7275 

Or downloading the PayByPhone app on your mobile phone 

 

Please ensure you quote the correct location number which will be displayed on the ticket machine and your vehicle registration number 

 

You may still receive a penalty charge notice (PCN), sometimes called a parking ticket but following these steps will help prevent this. 

We’ve highlighted the car parks in Northumberland that can accommodate large vehicles in the locations and charges section above. 
 
It’s important vehicles only park in bays of an appropriate size. If you’re using our off-street pay and display car parks, it’s fine to take up more than one bay providing you pay for all the bays you are using. 
 
During the summer of 2021, coastal communities reported an increase in motorhome and campervan related issues including inconsiderate parking and litter. 
 
The council assessed its coastal car parks and identified three locations where self-contained motorhome vehicles can park for an overnight stay allowing the occupants to sleep in their vehicle. There is no provision however for items of equipment to be placed outside of the motorhome and no on-site facilities available which is why vehicles must have washing, toilet and waste storage facilities on board. The aim is purely to provide a single nights stay as a transit type activity. These sites have been agreed in consultation with town and parish councils.   

 

  • Amble Braid car park, Amble 

  • Links Road car park, Bamburgh 

  • Beadnell Overflow car park, Beadnell 

 

 Click here for more information on overnight motorhome parking. 
 
The car parks in Northumberland country parks are also suitable for parking large vehicles and motor homes. 
 
Cooking, camping and sleeping are not allowed in any of our car parks. 


 

We allow mobile traders to sell certain goods in some of our NCC managed parking places, this is subject to the trader obtaining a licence granted by the council and a valid street trading consent. 

The right to trade from these locations are awarded on a three-year cycle by way of submitting a sealed bid for each consecutive year in the period advertised. 

 Trading licences expire on 31 March at the end of the three-year period. 

To find locations where we allow trading together with what can be sold and when the licences are due to expire, click here.  
 
Available Trading Concessions are advertised on the corporate contract portal: click here to visit the contract portal
 

 You need to register as a supplier before you can submit your tender.  
 
Tenders will not be considered if there are any outstanding trading licence fees from any previous licence periods. 

Motorcycles are exempt from charges when parking in on-street and off-street pay and display bays. 
 
Motorcycles are also exempt from displaying a disc in disc parking places. 
 
Motorcycles are NOT exempt from the time limits in force in the place where they park.  
 
Where possible motorcyclists should aim to park within designated motorcycle bays, however where this is not possible, they can park within a marked parking bay. 
 
For example, a motorcycle may park in an ordinary bay within a 3 hour time limited disc parking car park. They do not need to display a parking disc but they must not park for longer than three hours.   
 
Motorcycles cannot park within disabled bays, loading bays, taxi ranks, on yellow lines, bus stops, residents only streets, permit holders only bays (without a permit) or adjacent to a dropped kerb. 

As the number of electric vehicles on the roads continues to increase, the County Council has agreed to introduce a user tariff for its electric vehicle chargers from Thursday 1 April 2021.  

The tariff is 65p per kWh for rapid chargers, and 57p per kWh on all other chargers which will cover the cost of the chargers and installations, electricity and servicing, meaning the council can continue to invest in new EV charging points and support the continued growth in usage of electric vehicles in the county. 

We hope this change will also encourage those with electric vehicles who can charge at home to do so, freeing up council chargers for those without home charging facilities.  

There’s also been some cases of motorists “hogging” the chargers by parking up and leaving them, preventing others from being able to charge their vehicles. 

The tariff is comparable with others in the north east and unlike some schemes there is no joining or membership fee – you only pay for what you take. 

Drivers will be able to use either a contactless payment card, or a mobile phone app to access the chargers and pay the fee.  

As the number of electric vehicles on the roads continues to increase, the County Council has agreed to introduce a user tariff for its electric vehicle chargers from Thursday 1st April 2021.   

 

The new tariff will be 35p per kwh which will cover the cost of the chargers and installations, electricity and servicing, meaning the council can continue to invest in new EV charging points and support the continued growth in usage of electric vehicles in the county.  

 

We hope this change will also encourage those with electric vehicles to charge at home if they are able to do so, freeing up council chargers for those without home charging facilities.   

 

There’s also been some cases of motorists “hogging” the chargers by parking up and leaving them, preventing others from being able to charge their vehicles.  

 

The tariff is comparable with others in the north east and unlike some schemes there is no joining or membership fee – you only pay for what you take.  

 

Drivers will be able to use either a contactless payment card, or a mobile phone app to pay the charging point fee.   

 

Across the county the council has now installed 37 charging points, including nine new ones at: 

 

  • Alnmouth Station car park 

  • Greenwell Road car park D, Alnwick 

  • Station Yard car park, Ashington 

  • Bolam Lake Country Park car park 

  • Green Lane car park, Holy Island 

  • Plessey Woods Country Park car park 

  • South Beach car park, Blyth 

  • Merton Way car park, Ponteland 

  • The Meadows, Belford 

 

A further 12 chargers are in the process of being installed, with more units planned over the next year.  

 

We’re also starting work on a strategy address the lack of kerbside charging for those residents who cannot install their own chargers on drives/garages, such as those in flats and terraced houses with no off-street parking.  

 

This includes a pilot project where six selected locations across the county will each have four on-street charge points installed.  

 
 
FAQ:  

 

How do I access the chargers and make payment?   

At rapid chargers there is a contactless payment terminal. Follow the on-screen instructions and swipe your card when prompted. At slow chargers use the VendElectric App to either scan the QR code or enter the code displayed on the charger. The app can be downloaded at the Apple Store and Google Play. Further details can be found at: https://www.rolecserv.com/charging-on-the-go  

A parking dispensation helps to ensure that trades people, businesses and utility companies can carry out their work safely whilst causing minimal disruption to others. A parking suspension temporarily removes all, or a specific part, of a restriction in order to reserve space for a particular purpose or vehicle.

We are introducing a procedure for requesting parking dispensations and suspensions. 

Any request for a dispensation or suspension will be reviewed against set criteria.

We are doing this because there has been a significant increase in requests to allow parking in all of our busy town centres and a notable increase of convenience parking for trades people.  This has placed a great deal of pressure on our high demand town centre parking and we need to better manage this.

The procedure aims to protect the availability of public parking in our town centres and manage demand for kerb space across the County, it also explains when and where we will grant dispensations and suspensions.   

From 17 May 2021, once we are satisfied that your request can be approved, a non-refundable administration fee of £25 is payable. 

The dispensation will not be processed until this fee is paid.  The fee covers the administration, processing and issue of the dispensation and any subsequent inspections. 

A dispensation will only be granted for a maximum of 7 days and is vehicle specific. If a dispensation is required for longer, a new application and payment is required. 

There is no discount for multiple vehicles, days, weeks or months or for periods of less than a day. 

If the dispensation is to park for longer than normally allowed in a pay and display parking bay, a further charge will apply comparable with the parking tariff in place. 

Parking dispensations will only be granted in exceptional circumstances and for necessity, they are not intended to provide 'convenience parking'.  For instance, a request to park a van for access to tools or materials will not be granted dispensation as these items should be loaded/unloaded before the vehicle is parked legally elsewhere.

A dispensation will generally be granted for:

  • Glazing works

  • Essential building/maintenance/repair works (where proximity to the site is essential)

  • Removal vehicles

 
Dispensation Location Maximum No. Of Days
Single/Double yellow line  1 day
Resident permit bays/zone, pay and display and time limited parking bays  7 days


A dispensation on a yellow line will normally be granted for one day only.

Dispensations in a permitted parking bay (pay and display, time limited, resident) may be granted for up to seven consecutive days, but for no longer.

Extensions will require new applications to be submitted to allow a review of the parking, traffic and safety situation.

On most occasions a dispensation can be planned well in advance, therefore we require a minimum of 3 working days notice.

We do appreciate there may be emergency situations where notice cannot be given however an application still needs to be made, approved and paid for.  An emergency is anything that may cause harm or danger to persons or property.

 

From 17 May 2021, once we are satisfied that your request can be approved, a non-refundable administration fee of £25 is payable.

The dispensation will not be processed until this fee is paid.  The fee covers the administration, processing and issue of the dispensation and any subsequent inspections.

A dispensation will only be granted for a maximum of 7 days and is vehicle specific. If a dispensation is required for longer, a new application and payment is required.

There is no discount for multiple vehicles, days, weeks or months or for periods of less than a day.

If the dispensation is to park for longer than normally allowed in a pay and display parking bay, a further charge will apply comparable with the parking tariff in place.


 
  • Confirmed receipt of your application form is not confirmation of approval. Dispensation approval is granted on receipt of payment which must be made at least 2 days before the start date.
  • The dispensation will contain the vehicle registration mark and must be clearly displayed inside the windscreen at all times. 

  • The dispensation is not transferable between vehicles or dates. Changes such as these would require a new application.

  • The dispensation will stipulate on which street or location the vehicle is allowed to park and the dates and times.

  • The dispensation does not permit parking anywhere else and will not guarantee a parking space in time limited/residential parking places (see ‘suspensions’ when requiring a specific parking space where restrictions are in place)

  • The vehicle must not cause an obstruction to other road users or pedestrians and must not be parked (wholly or partly) on the verge or footway. 

  • Materials or goods must not be loaded/unloaded or deposited on the footway/public highway or passed across the footway/public highway if this would cause an obstruction to other vehicles or pedestrians.

  • If the dispensation is placed in a different vehicle to the one stated, or if it is changed or altered in any way, then it will be deemed invalid and a Penalty Charge Notice may be issued.

  • The vehicle must be moved on the request or instructions of a Police Officer, Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO) or Council officer.  If the vehicle is requested to move, we are not required to offer any refund, compensation or alternative parking place.

  • If it is deemed necessary, a dispensation may be withdrawn without notice by the Council on the instructions of a Police Officer, CEO or Council officer.

  • CEOs employed by Northumberland County Council may conduct inspections to establish the vehicle is being used for the purpose that the dispensation was issued. If the vehicle granted a dispensation is not being used as an integral part of the works in progress, a Penalty Charge Notice may be issued.

  • Dispensations will not be issued for locations where there is any possible danger to pedestrian or highway safety.


 

Certain vehicles have an automatic exemption and therefore do not need to apply for a dispensation, for example:

  • Police, fire and ambulance vehicles whilst engaged on operational duties
  • Vehicles being used in connection with postal services

  • Vehicles undertaking statutory duties requiring them to be parked at the location or being used for highway maintenance, waste collection or parking enforcement

  • Vehicles in connection with statutory undertakers/utility services (such as gas, water, electricity or telephony) which necessitates work on or immediately adjacent to the highway and requires the vehicle at or near the work will be granted permission under the relevant legislation from Streetworks

  • The hearse and chief mourner's vehicles at a funeral

  • The bridal vehicle at a wedding 

To apply for a dispensation, please email parkingservices@northumberland.gov.uk giving a minimum of 3 days notice. 

  • The location where you require the dispensation 

  • The restriction you would like to park on 

  • Reason for dispensation request 

  • Vehicle registration 

  • Vehicle make 

  • Start & End date (max 7 days) 

  • Business/Traders name 

  • Mobile telephone number 

  • Email address 

  • You agree to the terms and conditions that apply YES/NO 

From 17 May 2021 there will be £25 administration fee payable if the dispensation granted, this is payable 2 days before the dispensation starts. 

You will not be able to park in contravention of a parking restriction unless you have been granted, and paid for, a dispensation. 

What is the difference between a Dispensation and a Suspension?
A dispensation allows a vehicle to park in contravention of the restrictions in place for a specified period of time.
A suspension temporarily removes the restrictions in place, securing a length of highway for specific vehicles for a specific purpose.

Why have you implemented a procedure now?The procedure will provide a structured process for requesting dispensations and suspensions ensuring that each request is reviewed against set criteria. We are doing this because there has been a significant increase in requests to allow parking in all of our busy town centres and a notable increase of convenience parking for trades people.  This has placed a great deal of pressure on our high demand town centre parking and we need to better manage this.

Where can I get a dispensation to park?
Parking dispensations allow a vehicle to park where there are restrictions in place to enable works to be carried out. A dispensation may only be granted for parking on;-

  • single or double yellow lines
  • resident permit parking bays
  • pay and display parking bays
  • ​time limited parking bays

It does not allow parking in bus stops, taxi ranks, school keep clears, disabled bays or where a loading ban applies.

Why can I not have a dispensation to park in a bus stop?
Stopping or parking in a bus stop or stand makes it difficult for the bus to pull in to its designated stopping place. This not only delays the natural traffic flow but also endangers the passengers getting on and off the bus; especially disabled people, as well as people with young children and pushchairs.

I need to park outside the job because I need regular access to my tools
Your tools and materials need to be loaded or unloaded and then the vehicle parked legally somewhere else. We will not grant a dispensation because it is convenient for someone to park near to where they are working; only in exceptional circumstances and because of necessity.

What if I need longer than you have allowed?
Extensions to a dispensation will require new applications to be submitted to allow a review of the parking, traffic and safety situation.

How far in advance do I need to apply?
Most work is planned in advance so we require 3 days notice for a dispensation request.

However, when there is an emergency and notice cannot be given an application still needs to be made, approved and paid for. 

An emergency is anything that may cause harm or danger to persons or property.

Why are you charging us a fee?
The administration and coordination of requests for dispensations and suspensions across the county incurs a cost to the council. 
The fee covers the administration, processing and issue of the dispensation and any subsequent inspections.
The payment of a non-refundable fee will also ensure that requests are valid. 

What is an emergency?
We receive many requests for emergency or urgent dispensations. 
An emergency is defined as anything that may cause harm or danger to persons or property.

For example, you would not be given a dispensation because you urgently need to repair a broken refrigerator in a butchers shop.  While we understand that this may be considered urgent by the business owner, it is not a scenario where we would grant an emergency dispensation.  If you are unable to park near the shop and your tools were too heavy to carry, then you would be expected to off load the tools required to repair the refrigerator, and move your vehicle to a permitted parking space for the duration of the repair. 


 
A parking suspension is similar to a dispensation however it temporarily removes the parking regulations in place (or in a designated part of it) and prevents parking of unauthorised vehicles.

Signs explaining the dates and reason for the suspension will be displayed on site before and during the suspension making other road users aware of the temporary arrangements in place. 

A suspension therefore reserves a specific parking space, e.g. for removal vehicles, essential building works, etc. Parking for all other motorists is prohibited but allows parking for authorised vehicle(s) or a safe working zone for the applicant. 

 

Parking suspensions will generally be granted for: 

  • Essential building/maintenance/repair works 
  • ​Shop fitters 
  • Removal companies 
  • Filming 
  • Special events 
  • A safe working zone where traffic movement and safety are a concern for the applicant 

 

 

Suspension administration fee and charges cover the cost of investigation, site review, suspension signage, reservation of location, administration and issue of the suspension and any subsequent inspections. 

Parking suspensions prohibit the use of the parking place by any other user and therefore it is our intention to keep suspensions to a minimum.  For this reason a tiered charging structure is applied, whereby the longer the suspension the higher the cost incurred each day. 

On-street - a unit of suspension is up to a maximum of 2 longitudinal parking bays or up to 12 metres in length. 

Charges for periods of longer than 28 days are available on application (as a formal licence agreement with conditions may be required) 
 

On-street - A unit of suspension is up to a maximum of 2 longitudinal parking bays or up to 12 metres in length. 

£25.00 Administration fee per Suspension application (non refundable) 
£5.00
Cost per bay suspension per day (Day 1 to 7)
£10.00 Cost per bay suspension per day (Day 8 to 14)
£15.00 Cost per bay suspension per day (Day 15 to 21)
£20.00 Cost per bay suspension per day (Day 22 to 28)
£25.00 Over 28 Days - Cost per bay suspension unit per day 

 

On- Street - A unit of suspension for non-longitudinal bays - cost per bay per day 
£25.00 Administration fee per Suspension application (non refundable) 
£2.50
Cost per bay suspension per day (Day 1 to 7)
£5.00 Cost per bay suspension per day (Day 8 to 14)
£7.50 Cost per bay suspension per day (Day 15 to 21)
£10 Cost per bay suspension per day (Day 22 to 28)
£12.50 Over 28 Days - Cost per bay suspension unit per day 
 
Off Street- Flat rate per bay per day
£25.00 Administration fee per Suspension application (non refundable) 
£2.50
Cost per bay suspension per day (Day 1 to 7)
£5.00 Cost per bay suspension per day (Day 8 to 14)
£7.50 Cost per bay suspension per day (Day 15 to 21)
£10 Cost per bay suspension per day (Day 22 to 28)
£12.50 Over 28 Days - Cost per bay suspension unit per day 
 
Where parking charges apply the day rate per parking bay will be applied.

* Price On Application - a formal licence agreement with conditions may be required 

Charges for the use of off-street car parks are available on application (as a formal licence agreement with conditions may be required) 

Cancellations may be subject to charges depending on the notice provided. 

Terms and Conditions 

  • Receipt of your application is not confirmation of approval.  

  • The administration fee is non refundable and must be made at the time of application. 

  • The suspension can be cancelled any time before the scheduled suspension start date. However a refund of the daily charges will only be made if 3 working days notice, prior to the scheduled start date, is given (the application fee is non refundable). 

  • If a suspension needs to be extended; the request must be made via application form at least 3 working days prior to the initial completion date. Date changes may also be granted for postponing suspensions providing a minimum of 3 working days’ notice has been provided (before original start date). 

  • Suspension start dates can only be brought forward if the required notice periods for the suspension can be met. 

  • If a parking suspension is granted but is not in-use by close of business on the first day; all signage will be removed and the suspension cancelled without notice unless the Council have been notified of the delay. There will be no entitlement to a refund.  

  • On-street equipment provided by NCC must not be removed under any circumstances. Suspension warning notices remain the property of NCC and will be removed only by Parking Services officers. 

  • Applicants are expected to leave the highway/footway in the same condition that it was found; thus reinstating all road markings and signage that may have been temporarily displaced. Failure to comply will result in reparation charges being incurred by the applicant and may also result in future applications being rejected.  

  • Private vehicles belonging to the employees of contractors or subcontractors are not permitted to park within the suspended area for site visits etc. These employees are required to park outside of the suspended area. This is to ensure that the area is not  being suspended for private parking purposes.  

  • Film companies must detail on a separate sheet the types of vehicles and include a map of the location requested (only essential vehicles will be authorised) 

  • The Council are unable to remove vehicles from suspended bays as we do not have removal vehicles to facilitate this.  However, we can issue Penalty Charge Notices to any vehicle parked in a suspended bay. If you notice an unauthorised vehicle parked in the suspended area please contact Parking Services on: Tel: 01670 620220 

  • Yellow suspension signs will be placed as near as possible to the suspended area showing the details of the suspension.  Residents are advised to check all signs in their road before parking on each and every occasion. 

  • Suspensions cannot be considered in areas where there are no parking restrictions in place. 

  • CEOs will conduct inspections during the period of the suspension to ensure the vehicles within the suspension are authorised to be there. 

  • If, in the opinion of an officer of the Council or a Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO), a vehicle is parked in contravention a Penalty Charge Notice may be issued. 

  • Suspensions are granted to specific vehicles and are not transferable between other vehicles, locations or dates. Any changes would require a new application. 

  • Where an suspension has expired and the suspension signs have been removed, a new application will not be considered in that same location for a period of 4 weeks. 

 

Emergency utilities works are exempt from the notice period and charges. 

Some special events may be exempt for example Royal visits, Armed Forces days and Remembrance parades. 

 

To apply for a suspension, please email parkingservices@northumberland.gov.uk 10 working days before the date of the suspension commencement (except in emergencies)

  • The location where you require the suspension, include full details

  • The restriction you would like to be suspended  

  • Reasons and details about the suspension request 

  • If applicable vehicle(s) type, make and registration 

  • The length of suspension (Start & End date)

  • Business/Traders name 

  • Mobile telephone number 

  • Email address 

  • You agree to the terms and conditions that apply 


Depending on your request a site visit may be required.

We will calculate the cost of the suspension including a £25 administration fee and site visit fee (where applicable), payable within 28 days of receiving the invoice.  

You will not be able to park in contravention of any parking restrictions unless your application has been approved.