Northumberland Town Centres Face Calls to Scrap Free Parking

A Green Party leader wants to end free parking. This change would affect many Northumberland town centers. Nick Morphet thinks free parking boosts car use. He believes it hurts the environment, and also harms local bus routes, he added. He spoke at a council meeting about it. Parking fees could fund better transport options.

Richard Wearmouth disagreed with the idea. He is a deputy leader of the council and promised to protect free parking. He warned fees could hurt businesses. These statements came after the meeting. Morphet wants people to travel sustainably.

Morphet thinks fees could help this goal. The funds could improve rural buses, walking, and cycling paths. Incentives now favor car use, he said. A bus discount could replace free parking, and he believes people would still visit towns.

Drivers now park free in most large towns in council-owned car parks. People need a council parking disc which costs £1 and can be purchased locally. Libraries, tourist centers, and shops sell them.

Wearmouth defends free parking, though. He thinks voters value it greatly in Morpeth, Alnwick, and Hexham. Studies suggest parking fees decrease visits. They maintain free parking for high foot traffic because rural residents need cars to access locations. He intends to keep things that way.