Delay over Wansbeck car parking charges decision

Posted by The Journal on Feb 6, 09 09:23 AM in Councils

A decision on whether to end free car parking in Northumberland's most heavily-populated area has been put off for a year - as higher fees and fines are proposed in towns which do ask motorists to pay.

Yesterday the news that free parking is to remain in Blyth Valley and Wansbeck - while some charges are increased in four rural market towns - was greeted with anger by traders and councillors.

Paying to park in Alnwick

Visitors to Berwick, Alnwick, Morpeth and Hexham have had to pay to park for many years, but it remains free in towns such as Ashington, Bedlington, Newbiggin, Cramlington, Blyth and Seaton Delaval.

It had been anticipated that April's introduction of unitary local government in Northumberland would mean a common approach across the county.

But now the Liberal Democrat administration at County Hall says a decision on whether to extend charges will only be taken following a major review to be carried out this year, and implemented in April 2010.

In the meantime, it is planned to increase some charges in Alnwick, Berwick, Morpeth and Hexham - as well as hike the cost of parking fines - to help balance the new council's 2009/10 budget.

Annual income from charges, the sale of parking permits and fines is currently just over ÃÂ£3m, and proposals going before the executive next week would raise an extra ÃÂ£150,000 a year.

They include raising some charges in the four market towns by 10p for 30 minutes or 20p an hour, and introducing a new 30p charge for 30 minutes in Tynedale.

In addition, parking fines will be harmonised across the county at ÃÂ£60, with a ÃÂ£30 reduction for early payment.

Yesterday Coun Gordon Castle, who represents Alnwick, said: "This is not the right time to be hitting market towns, which bear the entire burden of car parking charges in Northumberland.

"Times are very hard, shops are closing down and we should not be making it less attractive to park in these towns."

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