Parking at North Tyneside’s award-winning coast is to become easier and cheaper thanks to a new scheme.
North Tyneside Council is launching a flexible parking initiative which will allow drivers to use the same ticket to park at all charged parking facilities along the coast.
It means visitors will be able to save money while exploring more of the borough’s coastline, which has recently been recognised by TripAdvisor and awarded prestigious Blue Flags for the quality of its beaches.
The scheme will also see the council commission a new map-based app called AppyParking that will direct drivers to the parking facilities along the coast and provide information on the parking tariffs that apply.
In future, the system should also be able to tell users how many spaces are available in real-time.
In addition, as part of the scheme a six-month Cashless Parking Only trial will be held at some off-street car parks along the coast. It involves paying to park over the phone using a debit or credit card instead of using cash at a machine.
The council has operated a mobile phone payment option at all of its parking facilities for a number of years with usage increasing in recent years, particularly along the coast.
The trial is being held in response to repeated vandalism to Pay and Display machines at the coast over the past 12 months.
Cllr John Harrison, cabinet member for housing and transport, said: “This scheme will make it easier and cheaper to enjoy our beautiful coastline and the excellent local facilities.
“If you buy a ticket in one parking facility at the coast you can then use it to park in any other charged parking facility along the seafront in North Tyneside, as long as the ticket is still valid.
“The launch of the new app will also help visitors find the numerous public parking facilities that the council provides along the coast and give them parking information before they travel.
“And the Cashless Parking Only trial will not only help tackle problems with vandalism but also make parking more convenient as you won’t need to worry about having the right change or even have to leave your car when you buy your ticket – you can pay simply and quickly using your mobile phone. If it proves successful then we will look to extend the trial to other locations on a phased basis.
“We are delighted to be launching this new scheme, which we’re sure will help many visitors take advantage of all of the borough’s coastal beauty spots.”
The parking facilities included in the new scheme, which comes into effect from 1 August 2016, are:
- Spanish Battery car park, Tynemouth (will become Cashless Parking Only)
- Sea View car park, Tynemouth (will become Cashless Parking Only)
- Sea Banks, Tynemouth
- Spa Access, Tynemouth
- Grand Parade, Tynemouth
- Grand Parade car park, Tynemouth (will become Cashless Parking Only)
- Beaconsfield car park, Tynemouth
- Longsands, Tynemouth
- Spanish City car park, Whitley Bay
- Spanish City Link Road, Whitley Bay
- Bournemouth Gardens car park, Whitley Bay
- Dukes Walk car park, Whitley Bay
- Brierdene car park, Whitley Bay
- Mini Golf car park, Whitley Bay (will become Cashless Parking Only)
- St Mary’s Island car park (North), Whitley Bay (will become Cashless Parking Only)
- St Mary’s Island car park (South), Whitley Bay
For more information about Cashless Parking Only visit www.northtyneside.gov.uk and search ‘cashless parking’.