Petition calling for long-stay car-park in Amble launched

Amble Business Club has started the petition in a desperate bid to force Northumberland County Council into finding a solution.

It comes four years since the business club presented its first petition calling for a long-stay car-park in the town.

Following this, a parking group – made up of representatives from the county council, Amble Town Council, the town’s development trust and the business club – was formed.

Yet while discussions have been on-going, campaigners say the town is no further forward in its pursuit for a purpose-built facility.

Ann Burke, chairman of Amble Business Club, said: “Four years from our original petition and we don’t have our long-stay car-park. This is essential to our future.”

Amble Mayor Jane Dargue reiterated these concerns, saying that action is needed now and urged the county council to ‘look at all viable options’.

A county-council spokeswoman said: “We are working with the town council, the development trust and the business club to try to find a long-term solution.

“In the meantime, we have sought to improve traffic flows through the introduction of the one-way system and better on-street parking arrangements.

“Finding a suitably-sized plot of land for a car park is not an easy task, but we remain committed to working with the community to find sustainable solutions to the problems.

“A parking survey (taking place in numerous market towns) was not felt appropriate in Amble at this time, as we are further through the process there, and are largely aware of the issues that need to be addressed.”

The petition is available to be signed in numerous Amble businesses.