Consultation is continuing on future parking needs for some of the county’s major market towns.
Last summer the County Council commissioned consultants to undertake parking studies and survey work in the market towns of Berwick, Hexham, Morpeth and Alnwick, to help develop options for future parking needs in these busy market towns.
Since the start of the year work has been ongoing to seek the views and opinions of local county councillors, town councils and other key stakeholders on the findings of the consultants’ studies and their suggested recommendations on a range of potential measures that could help address parking issues in their areas.
The study has found many of the issues identified are common to all of the towns, however there are also some key differences so the strategies for each one will need to be tailored to the local needs and circumstances.
Councillor Glen Sanderson, Cabinet member for Environment and Local Services, said: “We have always stressed that the views of stakeholders is key in determining what happens in these towns.
“We want to find a workable solution to the county’s parking issues which has the support of residents, businesses, shoppers and visitors. Doing nothing is not a viable option.
“However, it is important we recognise that due to the historic nature of our towns, the availability of suitable development sites for extra car parking is limited and that there is no easy fix which will sort out the county’s parking issues.
“We have had a number of productive meetings with local county councillors, town councils and other key stakeholders so that we can agree what actions are acceptable and should be taken forward to help meet the particular needs of each town.
“It is clear from our discussions there is understandably a great deal interest from local town and parish councils, so we will be extending our consultations with them to 21st February to ensure all views and ideas can be heard.”
While these studies focus on four of the main market towns the council is aware that parking issues are a problem in many parts of the county and is committed to working with all Town and Parish Councils and local communities to find workable solutions.
To read the full reports go to http://bit.ly/parkingstudies