Car parking charges and tariff review

Background

The total savings needed for 2024/25 to balance our budget is now estimated to be £16.308 million. This is around £11 million more than was previously expected. As part of our budget setting, it is proposed to introduce or increase parking charges to support our approach or making savings by raising additional income.  

With this in mind, a recent parking review put forward plans to increase or introduce parking tariffs in our major town centres, to ensure the management and maintenance of car parking facilities generates enough income to pay for itself.

It is also hoped that the proposals may encourage more people to take up sustainable travel methods with the added longer-term benefit to all in terms of improved air quality.

What's proposed

We propose to bring in or increase parking charges in the following places as identified locations in our October 2023 budget savings proposals:

Durham City

On-street parking (pay and display bays)

The on-street pay and display parking bays in Durham City are currently extremely well used.

• The changes would start on 1 April 2024.
• All other on-street bays, such as loading, disabled parking, permit parking, taxi parking, and any limited waiting restrictions, would be updated so they operate to the same rules.
• Permit costs will not increase.
• Dedicated on-street blue badge bays will remain free. On-street pay and display bays and time limited bays will remain free and without time limits for blue badge holders.

Off street parking (car parks)

We propose to increase the charge for all council owned car parks within Durham City and introduce Sunday charging across them all.

• The changes would start on 1 April 2024.

Park and Ride service

We are proposing to extend some Durham City Park and Ride services to include Sundays, and to increase some fees.

• The changes would start on 1 April 2024.
• Park and Ride services at Belmont and Sniperley would run on Monday to Sunday. Howlands will stay as Monday to Saturday.
• Current fares would increase:
  • by 20p from £2 to £2.20 for over 16 year olds
  • by 30p from £1.70 to £2 for Pop Pay As You Go cards users

Under 16s will continue to travel for free if they're accompanied by an adult over 21. English bus pass holders will continue to travel for free after 9.30am, Monday to Sunday and for 50p before 9.30am on weekdays.

The Cathedral Bus service will not change.

Coastal parking

We are the only local council on the north east coast to offer free parking in our car parks at the coast. This parking is often operating over capacity. We propose to introduce parking charges to help with our budget as well as manage usage and increase turnover of spaces.

Seaham

We propose to introduce pay and display parking in Seaham coastal car parks and coastal on-street parking areas.

Seaham (B1287 North Road)

North Road runs parallel with the beach and at present vehicles can park on its eastern side for free for unlimited time. From here, it is a short walking distance to a range of places, including the sea and town centre. The on-street parking bays are well-used and often operate over capacity.

We propose to introduce a charge on the eastern side of North Road, from near its roundabout junction with East Shore Drive to opposite number 9 North Road.

• The charge would start on 1 April 2024.
• A 'No Waiting At Any Time' restriction (double yellow lines) would be introduced to prevent people from incorrectly parking outside the parking bays.

Crimdon Dene

We are proposing to introduce pay and display parking for the coastal (off street) car park and coastal on-street parking bays.

• A 'No Waiting At Any Time' restriction (double yellow lines) would be introduced in the coastal car park to prevent people from incorrectly parking outside the car park.

Have your say

Comments are welcomed on the proposals for Durham City, Seaham and Crimdon for consideration in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and Statutory Instrument 2489.

What happens next

We are currently undertaking the next stage of the consultation process in December 2023. This involves displaying legal notices that detail the proposals at the affected areas, giving an opportunity for additional comment from visitors or members of the public not yet aware of the proposals. If you have commented during the initial consultation exercise, please note that your feedback has been recorded and there is no need to offer further comment at this stage. Duplicate responses will be discarded.

Feedback from this consultation will be presented at our Highways Committee on Tuesday 20 February 2024, at County Hall. Councillors will be asked to decide, in principle, whether or not to agree with any objections raised. This will guide and inform the Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth, who will make the final decision on the charges.