‘A rip off’ - Backlash after South Tyneside Council raises parking charges by 25% for the Great North Run
South Tyneside Council is facing a backlash after it is set to raise parking charges on the day of the Great North Run.
Council chiefs in South Tyneside have been accused of ripping off motorists by upping parking charges by 25% on Great North Run day.
Thousands of drivers will pay an extra £2 at seafront locations close to the end of the annual race – hoisting the daily rate from £8 to £10.
South Tyneside is the only council in the event area making them fork out more, with both Gateshead and Newcastle confirming no price change.
It’s the third consecutive year the local authority has increased the charge on that day only, prompting dismay - and words of warning from the AA.
Those came despite the then Labour-run council raking in record parking fees of almost £2m in the 2024-25 financial year.
‘It’s a rip off’
The council, now led by Reform, defended the race day move for Sunday, September 13, insisting the extra money raised would offset organisational costs.
But local campaigner Colin Campbell – and the AA - were critical.
Mr Campbell, from Cleadon, who is chief executive of South Tyneside Landlords Association, said: “I’m Reform but I find this charge disgusting.
“We get 60,000 runners coming to South Shields and there must be 250,000 family and friends who come, and last year many parked along the Leas
“Putting the cost of parking up like this will only discourage people from coming here. Even though it’s just for one day, it’s a rip off.
“The £8 parking charge as it is should be enough to pay for stewards and the extra workers. The council is ripping the public off.”
‘The council needs to justify the increase’
The AA described the £10 fee as “relatively low” compared to other coastal towns and cities around the UK, but said the increase will be noticed and irritate runners and supporters.
A spokesman said: “It is a shame that part of the conversation around the Great North Run will now be on visitors feeling that they are being exploited when parking.
“The council needs to justify the £2 increase: what extra are the Great North Run visitors getting for the £2 increase in parking?
“If they can’t, then they should be honest and tell people it is a local tax, similar to the upcoming tourist tax.
“The really sad aspect in all this is that the Government slashed VAT on summer holiday items as part of Great British Summer Savings support for hard-pressed families.
“Instead, many councils and fuel retailers grabbed back the savings with over-priced fuel and parking this summer.”
Council defends the parking charge increase
The affected car parks are Harbour Drive North and South, Car Park, Marsden Lea, Pier Head, Pier Parade, South Promenade North and South, The Dragon car park and its extension, Trow Quarry, and Whitburn Bents.
A South Tyneside Council spokesperson said: “The £10 all-day parking tariff on Great North Run day is a one-off charge which applies only on the day of the event.
“The tariff helps offset the additional operational costs associated with council services supporting the event.
“It is not uncommon for temporary event-day parking tariffs to be introduced for major events where there is significantly increased demand for parking.
“Signage is installed in advance to inform motorists of the planned increase. The tariff returns to normal the following day.”