Task force to tackle parking problems in popular Northumberland coastal village

A working group has been set up to discuss how to resolve parking problems in a Northumberland coastal village.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The move was agreed by Alnmouth Parish Council after a suggestion was made by a parishioner for the introduction of a residents’ parking scheme.

Chairman Shaun Whyte said: “We all know the problem we’ve seen post-lockdown when activity in the village has exploded.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It’s been made even worse by the enormous contrast between what life was like two months ago and what it is now where we’ve gone from the sublime to the ridiculous.”

Northumberland Street in Alnmouth.Northumberland Street in Alnmouth.
Northumberland Street in Alnmouth.

Cllr Mac McHugh, who runs the Red Lion pub, said: “From a business perspective we said when double yellow lines and one-way system were introduced it was pushing the problem outside the village which is what we've found. I don’t understand the logic of trying to push more people outside the village.

"The car park is rammed, the village is busy but it’s normally only for three or four months of the year.”

But Cllr Whyte responded: “I can see where you are coming from but we need to recognise there are residents’ interests to be protected.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I feel very sorry for people who live on, or very close to Northumberland Street, as these people really do struggle to park.

"I think the problem is more than just a few months a year. We are increasingly looking at almost nine or 10 months a year when there is a problem.”

Cllr Ed Williams said he had sympathy for residents unable to park near their homes but some research needed to be done to identify how many residents do not have access to on-site parking.

"I think the number might actually be quite small,” he said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Cllr Eddie McKee added: “It’s got much worse over the last 10 or 20 years and it’s a problem not just for residents but for visitors. Eventually I think it will start to put visitors off.

"Last week Riverside Road right up to Dr Joy’s Garden was jam-packed. If there had been an emergency of any sort they wouldn’t have got in so it’s something that needs looking at. We need to justify whether we need a parking scheme.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

If you can, please do pick up a copy when you are at the shops. Thank you for your support.

Related topics: