Raft of complaints over new car parking charges for South Tyneside Metro stations that came out of the blue

The car parks at Hebburn, Fellgate and East Boldon Metro stations, which are currently free, could see charges introduced from April for the start of the 2026/27 financial year.

Councillors at the latest meeting of Hebburn Community Forum (CAF) said they understood a £1.50 daily rate would be introduced – while a statement from Nexus to West Shields, Cleadon and East Boldon CAF noted it could be up to £1.80.

No charges would be in place after 5pm or on weekends under the proposals.

Bosses at Tyne and Wear Metro operator Nexus stressed “no final decision has been made” and they are currently “in the process of reviewing the car parking provision”.

Councillor Margaret Meling, cabinet member for economic growth and transport on South Tyneside Council, voiced her worries over the potential move at the latest Hebburn CAF meeting (on Monday, January 5).

She said the local authority had not been consulted over the plan and called for a “complaint” to be made to try and prevent the charges from being introduced.

She highlighted numerous issues which could occur if the fees were implemented, including residents being impacted financially and being discouraged from getting the Metro, along with parking issues being caused in nearby streets.

Speaking at the meeting, the Monkton ward representative added: “I just wonder first of all the impact of that when we’re trying to bear down on the cost of living wherever the council can.

“We’re trying to promote active travel, that is getting people out of their cars and walking or cycling or on public transport, and if you’re going to make that more difficult by making a charge at the Metro stations then that’s going to be counterproductive.

“Human nature being what it is, I think people will try and do more on-street parking nearby.”

She added she fears this could consequently lead to resident only permit parking schemes being brought in to manage issues – meaning residents would have to pay to park outside their own homes.

Meanwhile Cllr Meling noted if the car parking charges were introduced it could cost people using the facility daily “upwards of £300 a year, which is a lot on having to go to work”.

Chris Elliott, from the council’s infrastructure and transport team, added they found out about the proposed charges “out of the blue” just before Christmas and they had “no prior discussions” with Nexus over them potentially coming in.

Speaking after the meeting, Helen Mathews, commercial director at Nexus, said: “We are currently in the process of reviewing the car parking provision on the Tyne and Wear Metro.

“No final decision has been made yet on what changes we might make and we will be liaising with our local authority partners on this.

“Further information will be provided in due course.”

Similar worries over car parking charges being introduced at the three Metro stations were raised by councillors and members of the public at the latest meeting of West Shields, Cleadon and East Boldon CAF (on Thursday, January 8).

Councillor Shirley Ford, CAF chair, said they would be looking to send a joint letter to Nexus summarising their concerns and what was said at the meeting to make sure they are “fully aware of the strength of feeling”.

She said: “As councillors we will do everything we can to add to the pressure that residents and organisations in the area have already put on key decision makers.”

She added residents living near East Boldon Metro station are “already extremely concerned and contacting us all the time” around parking issues in the area, which they said would be exacerbated if the charges are implemented.

Councillor Ken Dawes, CAF vice chair, said: “I have every sympathy for the residents that live in that area. It’s a no-win situation.”

A statement from Nexus read out by council officers at the West Shields, Cleadon and East Boldon CAF meeting outlined the organisation’s current position, stressing no decisions have been made and what will happen at the car parks is “currently under review”.

It said: “Nexus has charged for car parking at several Metro park and ride sites since 2010 and all of the income raised through that goes back into helping the running costs of the Metro.

“The daily charge for the car parks is remaining competitively low at £1.50 per day to encourage take up of park and ride.

“This is proposed to increase to £1.80 from April of this year and that charge will also be introduced in the car parks that are not chargeable at present.

“There will also be parking permits available to offer extra value for frequent Metro customers.

“Those who hold a blue badge can park free of charge at all times.

“The proposals are currently under development and local authorities are being liaised with, and Nexus will share further details in due course, but no final decisions have been taken.”