New Reform UK-led Sunderland City Council commits to investigate possibility of restoring free city centre parking after 3pm

The update came during the most recent full meeting of the local authority at City Hall following a motion from the Wearside Liberal Democrats.

The motion, entitled Fairer Parking on Wearside, asked the new Reform UK-led authority to agree that a “fairer and more attractive parking offer is needed to better support businesses in the city centre, sea front and in town centres across the city”.

One Lib Dem proposals included asking city leaders to “investigate proposals to re-introduce free after 3pm parking in all city centre car parks, or a similar offer, to help city centre businesses compete with out-of-town retail parks”.

Other requests outlined in the motion included “ensuring people can, wherever possible, easily pay for parking including using cash or contactless and without being forced to use smart phone apps”, as well as calls to “end free parking for councillors in St Mary’s Car Park”.

The Free after 3pm council scheme, which allowed for a period of free parking, was previously scaled back in 2024 as part of a major review of parking services.

Revised proposals meant that multi-storey car parks including St Mary’s and Sunniside would not be free at any time although the initiative continued at smaller car parks elsewhere in the city.

The council’s Reform UK Group launched an amendment to the Lib Dem motion, which was eventually passed, which retained specific reference to the Free after 3pm parking initiative.

The revised Reform UK motion said the council would “investigate proposals to re-introduce free parking after 3pm in all city centre car parks, including consideration of a ‘first hour free’ scheme, in order to support city centre businesses in competing with out-of-town”.

It also said the council would “investigate the revenue impact associated with the free councillor parking scheme at St Mary’s Car Park and explore alternative options available”.

Councillor Paul Donaghy, cabinet member for veterans, communities and poverty, credited the opposition Lib Dem group’s efforts to support local businesses.

Cllr Donaghy added: “Broadly the Reform Group do appreciate this and understand what you’re trying to do. Our small businesses in Sunderland are crumbling and suffering because of this shocking Labour Government.

“This is a very good start to help support our local businesses, so I know the Reform Group do support the amendment, we like where this is going and we can get on board with it.”

Councillor Paul Edgeworth, leader of the Wearside Liberal Democrats, said the original motion aimed to “make life easier and cheaper for our residents, to support the city centre businesses and to boost our local economy”.

The opposition leader said the plan would benefit both residents visiting the city centre and those working in the night-time economy who “want the reassurance of a staffed and monitored car park like St Mary’s and Sunniside.”

Although Cllr Edgeworth criticised the Reform UK amendment around councillors’ parking at St Mary’s Car Park, and didn’t support the Reform UK amendment on this basis, he added the Lib Dems were “happy to be constructive otherwise.”

This included working on a cross-party basis to “get parking charges right to support small businesses.”