Improvements planned for Seaham parking site

We are finalising the purchase of an area of land close to Seaham town centre, off the A182 road, near the community's marina.  

The land has been in informal use as a parking area, although its surface is in poor condition, with potholes across the site. The remains of structures are also present underground.

We are buying what is a highly prominent site with a view to carrying out much needed improvement work and turning it into a formal parking area with capacity for 140 vehicles.

The purchase of the land is scheduled for completion on 21 November. Once finalised, it will be necessary to close the site in the short term, for health and safety reasons, because of its condition.

A planning application for the improvement works will also be submitted once the purchase is complete.

We will be carrying out temporary works to allow some of the parking area to reopen ahead of the planned improvements, as soon as possible.

Cllr James Rowlandson, our Cabinet member for resources, investment and assets, said: "If approved this scheme will help meet the area's increased demand for parking. It will also reduce traffic congestion which has come about through the ongoing regeneration of Seaham town centre.

"As this year's Seaham Food Festival proved, the town is very popular with visitors, and we want to ensure that there is an adequate number of parking spaces available.

Helping businesses

"It will also help businesses in the area, with more customers being able to park close to Seaham's many shops, bars, and restaurants.

"We understand closing the parking area in the short term is a temporary inconvenience but the state of the site is such that it would be irresponsible to allow people to continue using it.

"We will be carrying out temporary work as soon as possible, to allow part of the site to reopen while we await the outcome of the planning application, and parking will continue to be available elsewhere in the town."

The planning application proposes the creation of a new vehicle access into the site from the A182 and to close the existing access. Street lighting will also be provided.

There are several other council-operated car parks in Seaham town centre, including at Green Street and on Terrace Green.