Sunderland seafront car parks to close all week to deter 'unnecessary journeys'

Sunderland City Council announced the decision on Saturday morning in anticipation of warmer weather this weekend and the upcoming Easter holiday weekend.

Car parks at all public parks will also be shut seven days a week with all closures lasting “for the foreseeable future”.

The council has taken the measure – which follows initial restrictions introduced at Herrington County Park on Friday – after “issues with a large number of people driving to parks and the city’s beaches”.

It has also had reports of children meeting in play areas which are already closed.

Fiona Brown, the council's executive director of neighbourhoods, said: "Our parks and beaches all remain open but we are taking this action to discourage people from travelling

to them by car in line with government advice that people should not be making unnecessary journeys.

"Although most residents have been acting very responsibly, there have been issues with a large number of people driving to parks and the city’s beaches.

“We have also had reports that some children have been using the play areas, which no-one should be doing at the moment because all play areas are currently closed due to the

need for social distancing to minimise the risk of the virus spreading.

"With warmer weather forecast for this weekend and Easter weekend we know people will be tempted to head to the beaches and parks.

“And there have been concerns across the region about groups gathering in parks and beaches, making it very difficult to observe the social distancing rules, so we think now is the right time to take this action.

"It's very important that we all follow the Government's stay at home restrictions which have been brought in to protect the NHS and save lives. Government advice is that while

exercise is important, people should stay local and use the open spaces near their home where possible - they shouldn't be travelling unnecessarily. "

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