Lib Dem councillors have received notification of a proposal which will be put before Gateshead Council's Cabinet on July 18th. They are actively seeking residents' opinions so that they can accurately represent people's views.
The proposal is to introduce car park charges in several new locations within the Borough including both of the main car parks in Whickham, Low Fell, Birtley and Blaydon.
The reasons given are to :
1) raise funds that can be used towards maintenance and improvements of the car parks - currently there is no funding available for this.
2) allow the council to introduce restrictions on the length of stay in some car parks.
3) contribute to the disabled provision within the car parks.
4) raise funds that will contribute to enforcement costs.
The suggested costs are 20p per hour (short stay) and £1 fixed charge per day (long-stay). These costs are significantly cheaper than car park costs in Central Gateshead which are between 60p and 80p per hour and between £1.30 and £2.50 per day.
It is also intended that additional waiting restrictions will be introduced to surrounding streets to discourage a dispersal of commuter and shopper parking if subsequent surveys demonstrate a need.
Lib Dem councillors would like people's responses to these proposals and to the following issues: what do you think the impact will be?; if charges are not introduced, how do we pay for improvements to the car parks?; how often do you use the car parks and are charges likely to affect the number of times you use businesses based in Whickham?
Those wanting to respond are asked to send their views by 11th July to j.wallace@libdems.org.uk. People can also respond by posting comments about this article.
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