South Tyneside seafront parking charges to rise as residents label increase a 'disgrace'

Residents in South Tyneside have branded a council decision to increase seafront car parking charges as a "disgrace".

South Tyneside Council has confirmed the changes to seafront car parking, which will come into effect this month. From Friday, September 20, the 1p per minute tariff for the first hour will be removed and replaced with £1.20p per hour. This will apply to all foreshore on street parking and car parks. New signage will also be in place.

South Tyneside Council say the rise in charges were made amid "financial pressures on budgets" and that they are "reasonable" and "good value for money". Cllr Ernest Gibson, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods and Climate Change, said: “From Friday 20 September, the 1p per minute tariff for the first hour will be removed and replaced with £1.20p per hour. This will apply to all foreshore on street parking and car parks.

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“This decision, which was part of the Medium Term Financial Plan, was made to help the Council meet challenging financial pressures on budgets. Our parking charges continue to be among the lowest across Tyne and Wear and we believe they are fair, reasonable and offer good value for money."

Cllr Gibson added: "Setting appropriate parking charges is essential to help keep our roads clear for emergency vehicles, to keep traffic moving and to ensure car parking spaces are available for both residents and visitors alike. Any surplus money made from charges is reinvested back into highways and road safety as well as maintaining, securing, and improving our car parking facilities.”

However, residents have blasted the charge hike on social media, saying the council decision is a "disgrace". One man commented: "Are Shields Council trying to demonstrate the best ways to discourage people visiting the town centre and seafront by ramping up parking charges?"

Another wrote: "Disgrace. Yet again the council create barriers to discourage visitors and residents. Not a surprise but annoying nonetheless." One woman said: "Shocking! Not good for the businesses! We sometimes pop to Minchellas for an ice cream and just park for 20 minutes, for 20p. No way I'm paying £1.20 to get an ice cream."

Another resident added: "This is ludicrous, so how to make sure the businesses at the seafront that suffer in the winter with trade, suffer even more! Someone made this decision and really needs to review it, it should be free parking in the winter in order to attract people to the seafront and the local businesses."

Last weekend, a Great North Run spectator accused South Tyneside Council of "ripping people off" during a fundraising event after parking prices were increased by more than 65% on the day. South Tyneside Council said the increase in the tariff was to "help offset operational costs with regards to council services operating on the day of the event."