Council issues notice of plans to introduce charges at five car parks in Northumberland

Northumberland County Council has published public notices on the proposal for off-street car parks which had previously been free to use.

They are: Amble Braid car park, Berwick Railway station short stay car park, Cresswell Dunes car park, Cresswell Pond car park and Warkworth Dunes picnic site car park.

At Amble Braid, the first hour will remain free but a two hour stay will cost £1.50, three hours will cost £2 and all day will cost £4.

Short-stay parking at Berwick station, previously free, will cost 50p for a maximum 20-minutes.

At Cresswell Dunes, Cresswell Pond and Warkworth Dunes, the first hour will be free but a two hour stay will cost £1, three hours will cost £1.50 and all day will cost £3.

When the proposals were initially announced earlier this year, a council report stated: ‘Charges for off-street car parking are set to meet sensible commercial objectives. The car parking charges that are set each year by the council are in response to the demands placed on the existing car parking capacity, the cost to manage, maintain and enforce, where necessary, those car parking facilities.

‘The high level of visitors which Northumberland’s coastline, country parks and railway station users attracts each year must be managed and car parking capacity and demand in these locations needs to be effectively managed and this includes the use of parking charges.

‘It is anticipated that the increase in revenue will contribute to the maintenance and improvements of the parking facilities and provision throughout Northumberland, providing benefit to both local residents and visitors alike.’

Any objections to the proposal must be made by email to [email protected] before August 7.