Sunderland seafront parking: Plans for extra spaces at Marine Walk

Swathes of development in Roker and Seaburn, with dozens of new businesses and widespread improvements, have boosted visitor numbers to the seafront over the past decade or so.

Now the council has lodged proposals with its own planning authority for extra spaces at the Marine Walk Car Park in Roker to help cater for the increased trade – and help prevent unauthorised parking when there are no spaces left.

Plans included extending the car park into the grass embankment and installing a new retaining wall and fence.

If approved, the number of parking bays on site will increase from 50 to 73.

According to council documents, the extension aims to tackle parking pressures as the site regularly reaches capacity during summer months.

A Design, Access and Heritage Statement reads: “As Marine Walk Car Park is an existing facility, this proposed extension is unlikely to cause large amounts of new traffic.

“It is considered that the surrounding highway network will be able to accommodate any additional traffic caused by this extension.

“The proposed extension will also help to alleviate unauthorised parking, which is known to occur when the car park is full.”

The report adds the extension would help more people access the seafront, protect remaining green space and “stablilise the bank side.”

Although open space would lost in the Marine Walk area, highways bosses say it would have “negligible impact on the overall openness of the coast.”

Councillors have previously raised concerns about road safety at Marine Walk due to increased development in recent years.

In 2019, council officers revealed a raft of proposals for the area – from new permit bays to waiting and loading restrictions.

Extra pay and display spaces at Marine Walk were included in the shake-up and have now progressed to a formal planning application.

A decision on the plans is expected by the end of March following public consultation.

Comments can be made by writing to the council or visiting the council’s ‘planning portal.’

For more information, visit www.sunderland.gov.uk/online-applications and search planning ref: 20/00126/LP3