Sunderland seafront car parks set to reopen

Sunderland City Council have confirmed that all seafront car parks will be reopened from tomorrow (Thursday, May 28).

The reopening also includes car parks at parks, such as Herrington Country Park.

Parking will also remain free until Friday, June 5 following the suspension of charges at the end of March to promote essential travel only.

All council run multi-storey car parks will also remain free of charge until next Friday.

The City Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Councillor Michael Mordey said: "As the lockdown began, the council put its trust in the public to park appropriately and to only go out for those essential journeys.

"Thanks to all those that took up the opportunity to use the car parks, limited their travel, and accessed services locally and in the city centre.“As lockdown restrictions are lifted, many services and facilities will return to where and how they were before Covid-19.

“This includes a return to charges in car parks.”

The decision follows images captured on Bank Holiday Monday showing cars parked on grassed areas along Cliffe Park.

Councillor Mordey added: "The Government’s messaging has shifted and people are now permitted to get out more and this will include travelling by car, so the City Council must help make it safe to park."If you're going out and you're driving your car to get there, then please park appropriately, remember what the Highway Code tells you, and remember your social distancing."Some readers have also urged the Council to reopen public toilets along the seafront following complaints.

The Council has said they will remain closed with the situation under review.

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