South Shields town centre set for free parking but seafront tariffs see an increase
South Tyneside Council is set to introduce new parking charges.
The local authority has announced that it is set to introduce a free hour of parking in South Shields town centre as part of its annual review of fees and charges.
The new parking offer will see the first hour of parking in South Shields town centre completely free, which will be followed by a flat rate of £1-per-hour thereafter.
These new charges will will replace the 1p-per-minute tariff for the first 60 minutes.
South Tyneside Council’s Cabinet approved the changes last November with the hope that the new charges will support local businesses, boost footfall and make parking more affordable for residents and visitors.
The new town centre tariff will be introduced across all Council-run car parks in South Shields town centre, including Mill Dam - which is currently free.
Subject to the completion of the legal process and the installation of new signage and payment infrastructure, South Tyneside Council plans for the new charges to come into effect from April 1.
Speaking about the parking changes, Councillor Jim Foreman, Lead Member for Governance, Finance and Corporate Services, said: “We’ve listened to feedback and simplified our parking charges to make it easier and more attractive for people to visit South Shields town centre.
“Offering a free hour of parking is a practical way to support our high street and local economy while still ensuring we can manage demand and maintain services.”
The Cabinet has also agreed an increase to foreshore parking tariffs which they say brings the seafront car parking charges in line with the North East’s other coastal authorities.
The new charge along the seafront will be £1.60-per-hour of £8 all day, with the Foreshore Permit increasing to £170 per year.
South Tyneside Council has stated that keeping fees among some of the lowest in the region has over time created “additional financial pressures” for the local authority.
For more information about parking in South Tyneside, visit: https://www.southtyneside.gov.uk/article/1603/Find-a-car-park.
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