Flood-hit Morpeth traders call for parking fees break

Dec 4 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal

TRADERS in a market town devastated by severe flooding are calling for car parking charges to be temporarily lifted in a bid to help boost its economic recovery.

Business leaders in Morpeth want council bosses to agree a parking fees ‘holiday’ in January, February and March.

It is claimed the move will provide a shot in the arm for the town, where scores of businesses were forced to close down by the severe flooding caused when the River Wansbeck burst its banks three months ago.

The request from Morpeth and district chamber of trade will be discussed by Castle Morpeth Council’s executive board tonight – but officers have stopped short of recommending that it should be approved.

It comes amid claims that shoppers are going to nearby Cramlington, where parking is free, rather than Morpeth, which is still suffering from the effects of the flooding and the ongoing work on a £32m town centre redevelopment.

Yesterday, chamber of trade chairman Stuart Lishman said: “Our feeling is that it is going to be extremely quiet in Morpeth after Christmas and a moratorium on parking charges would attract more people into the town and increase trade.

“We know people are staying away and going to Cramlington, where parking is free, and we need to encourage more people to come here and shop following the impact of the flooding.

“We believe it would be a nice gesture on the council’s part.”

A report to councillors tonight, by regeneration and partnerships manager Ailsa Coverdale, says the move would cost the council about £150,000 because of the three-month loss of income from parking fees and fines.

She said there would likely be pressure from local traders for the suspension of charges to become permanent, as the issue has been a ‘hot topic’ for many years.

In addition, people who have paid for an annual parking permit could ask for some of the money to be reimbursed to cover the three-month free period.

Ms Coverdale adds: “With that in mind, clear and concise communication would be required that any relief is a time limited offer only....with charges resuming on April 1, 2009.”