More than 4,000 sign free parking petition

Posted by The Journal on Aug 28, 09 10:21 AM in News

More than 4,000 people have signed a petition against any moves to introduce car parking charges in south east Northumberland, it is claimed.

Blyth Valley MP Ronnie Campbell organised the petition amid fears that a review of car parking currently being carried out by the county council could result in the end of free parking in towns like Blyth, Ashington, Bedlington and Cramlington.

At present drivers have to pay to park in towns such as Berwick, Seahouses, Alnwick, Morpeth and Hexham - while it remains free in the former Blyth Valley and Wansbeck areas.

The advent of a single unitary county council has led to suggestions that fees should be introduced across Northumberland in the interests of fairness.

Mr Campbell said 4,200 people have signed his petition, which will continue to run until the review is completed.

County council Lib Dem leader, Jeff Reid, said his administration has never said that free parking is going to be ended in south east Northumberland.

He said the current review of car parking had to be carried out, but its outcome was not 'pre-ordained'.

"I find it difficult to understand why the Labour Party are so fixated on collecting names on a petition against something that has never been formally suggested, considered or proposed, he added."

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