Morpeth traders angry at MP Denis Murphy and parking charges stance

Sep 26 2009 by David Black, The Journal

TRADERS in a market town have started in an angry war of words with their local MP over his stance on the thorny issue of car parking charges in Northumberland.

Morpeth Chamber of Trade says it is disappointed that Wansbeck MP Denis Murphy will not support its campaign to end the current two-tier system of charging in his own constituency.

They have accused him of “political point scoring” rather than ensuring a fair deal for all of the communities which he represents.

Car parking remains free for motorists visiting towns in Wansbeck and Blyth Valley, while charges ranging from £1.10p to 50p an hour are levied in towns in the rural areas of the county.

In Mr Murphy’s constituency, parking is free in the towns of Ashington, Bedlington and Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, but is charged for in Morpeth.

He is refusing to support the chamber of trade’s campaign for a level playing field across the county – which would mean the introduction of fees in all major towns.

Yesterday estate agent Charles Robinson, who chairs the chamber’s car parking sub-committee, said Mr Murphy’s stance was wrong in seeking to defend an ‘intrinsically unfair’ situation.