Seaham businesses angry over parking charges planned for seafront car parks

The council is consulting on proposals to charge £3 per day or £1 per hour. It says the plans “are aimed at helping people access parking provision, supporting the county’s town centres and tourist attractions and benefiting the environment”.

The suggested changes include proposals for new pay and display charges in coastal areas.

Durham is the only North East authority with a coastline not to charge for parking by the shore.

The council is a Conservative-led coalition. The area’s Labour MP, Grahame Morris, opposes the plans and says there is no support for them in Seaham.

Marilyn Davidson, joint owner of Lickety Split ice cream parlour on North Terrace said: “I think it’ll affect the businesses. We’ve all got to get to work as well and the staff need somewhere to park as well.

“People come to Seaham and when you tell them there’s no parking charge they’re over the moon. I definitely think there’ll be a knock-on effect. It’s a struggle anyway for everybody, but this won’t help at all.”

The North Beach Coffee Bar sits virtually within a beach car park on North Road, where the new charges would apply.

Cafe manager Anna Smith, said: “Without the free parking, we’ll be goosed. Then there’s staff parking.

“I know other places do charge for parking, but I think it would absolutely ruin Seaham. It’ll take a hell of a lot of business away.”

David Gill owns a string of Seaham businesses, including Gill’s fish and chip restaurant, Lamp Room, Clean Bean and Harbour View. He is “100%” against parking charges.

He said: “It’s bad news for the area. That’ll stop people coming. It’ll affect everybody’s business on the seafront. If somebody comes for fish and chips the last thing they want is to start paying charges on top for parking.

“It’s a bad idea. We’re already suffering.”

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, the council’s cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “What we are proposing would bring many benefits to communities, the wider economy and the environment.

“Charges are widely used to control parking availability and support the commercial viability of town centres and attractions by increasing turnover of spaces in areas where there is high demand.

“They improve parking availability for residents and visitors, and in turn, increase the number of people coming into communities and spending money.

“What we are proposing would also address some of the issues that residents in coastal communities in particular raise with us, such as that of badly parked vehicles obstructing access.

“Our plans would also help lower emissions and improve local air quality, by reducing the need for drivers to circulate around car parks multiple times until they find a space, or queue for one to become vacant.

“We are pleased to be proposing increased park and ride access to Durham which again is aimed at lowering emissions by reducing traffic coming into the city. Our aim is that by providing park and ride journeys at a lower price than parking charges, we would be benefiting the environment by reducing traffic and lowering emissions.”

The consultation ends at 5pm on Monday, November 13. To have your say, visit the council’s website.