New parking restrictions set to come into force in Northumberland seaside village where bus hit church wall

Additional double yellow lines have been introduced in Beadnell in an attempt to combat congestion issues, particularly in the peak summer months.

The issue was brought to a head when a bus collided with a church wall while trying to get through a narrow gap, prompting Arriva to announce plans to withdraw its X18 service from the heart of the village.

The new traffic regulations will come into effect on Monday, December 9, and Northumberland County Council has indicated there will be routine enforcement.

The no waiting at any time restrictions apply at The Haven and The Wynding in the centre of the village and Benthall, Dunes Court and Longbeach Drive areas close to the beach.

However, some residents feel the restrictions do not go far enough.

Property management director Chris Brown, speaking at a meeting of Beadnell Parish Council, said: “We need the double yellow lines to go all the way up to Harbour Road.

“Rather extraordinarily, and may I say ridiculously, the double yellow lines stopping just short of the Dunes Court car ports is laughable.”

Mr Brown, who said he had made representations on behalf of 14 property owners, added: “The car parking issue in that area must be resolved.”

Parish council chair Alison Nation explained that while double yellow lines had been in place around the core of the village for some time, there was a consensus that they were too short.

A resident of Longbeach Drive had also raised concerns about difficulty in accessing her property which led the county council to suggesting restrictions in that area.

Coun Nation said: “This is something we will be keeping an eye on. We have already told them verbally that we think it is insufficient.

“We all anticipate there will be an issue but the county council are highways experts and have made this suggestion.

“However, the county council have also been very open – and this is something we would clearly support 100 per cent – that if and when there are problems we can go back to revisit the issue.”