Gateshead Council has reopened the car park at Watergate Park on Whickham Highway, following the Government's partial relaxation of the lockdown rules to allow people to drive to places for exercise and to allow people to exercise for longer.
But there are concerns about mixed messages coming from the council with Gateshead's Leader Martin Gannon saying he believes the relaxation of the rules should not go ahead in the borough because the rate of infection here is higher than most of the rest of the country. Cllr Gannon said, "Gateshead Council will put the health and safety of our resident first. Our advice remains, 'stay at home'”.
Local Focus Team member for Lobley Hill, Jonathan Mohammed, said, "I am concerned that the opening of the car park could cause a surge of people to visit the area. While in normal times I am delighted to have people visit our area, I am concerned that the opening of the car park could be premature.
"Cllr Gannon rightly raised concerns that the relaxation of the lockdown may be appropriate for areas of the country where the infection rate is low. He was also right to argue that in Gateshead, lockdown measures need to remain in place until our area has a rate similar to areas with the lowest.
"Opening up Watergate car park while telling people to stay at home are contradictory and confusing. Gateshead Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition, Cllr Jonathan Wallace, has raised this with Cllr Gannon.
"In the meantime, we encourage everyone using Watergate Park to adhere to social distancing rules."
Photo above - taken in February before the lockdown - Jonathan Mohammed in the car park of Watergate Park, Lobley Hill. He is calling for those using the park to beware of an influx of visitors now the car park has reopened.
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