Free car parking for town centres

 

13-AUG-09

Issued by: Jeanette Hedley

North Tyneside Council has set the wheels in motion to offer two-hours free parking in the borough's town centre car parks.

The move, on the orders of North Tyneside Mayor Linda Arkley, is the first phase in a package of measures being explored to make North Tyneside's shopping centres attractive places for shoppers and local businesses.

Notices advertising the changes and inviting objections and comments on the proposals will appear in the local press next week.

The order will relate to all council owned town-centre off-street car parks.

The car parks involved in each of the towns are:

- In Whitley Bay - the Whitley Road car park (near the health centre) and Park Road car park (near the library)

- In Wallsend - Alexandra Street car park; Coronation Street car park; John Street car park.

- North Shields - Norfolk Street car park

The car parks will have their ticket machines removed. However, there will be a maximum stay of two hours stay, with a restriction of no return within four hours.

Mayor, Linda Arkley said; " This is a solution that is good for shoppers, good for businesses and good for our towns. And it is the delivery of a promise I made to the electorate.

"Our town centre businesses offer a friendly, helpful service to shoppers and provide a range of goods and services right on the doorstep of local people.

"This two-hour free parking scheme is designed to give people the time they need to come into our towns and enjoy those facilities.

"It also prevents the prime car parks from being used as long-term commuter car parks for shop or office workers or for commuters visiting other commercial centres."

The adverts in the local press will publicise the council's statutory requirement to make a Traffic Regulation Order that will set down the rules for the scheme.

Subject to there being no objections the free car parking proposals can be introduced.

If there are objections these will be referred to the council's Planning Committee to consider.

The scheme is expected to be in place within three months.

Simon Hanson, North East Policy Manager of the Federation of Small Businesses added: "This is very welcome news and will come as a timely boost to our members in North Tyneside .

"We have been calling on local authorities across the region to do all they can to help small businesses and it is good to see North Tyneside Council taking a lead on this issue.

"It is vital that we support our town centres and we are confident offering shoppers free parking will have the desired effect."