Council consults on proposed changes to off-street parking regulations

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is in the process of reviewing an off-street Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) – a legal framework setting out where, when and how vehicles can park at its venues – which is designed to maintain safety, traffic flow, access, space availability and order for motorists and pedestrians.

The draft Order, intended to replace one made almost a decade ago, includes several changes while maintaining free parking on Sundays for most car parks, as well as the £1 after 1pm charge, and free parking at The Parade in Silverdale and Heathcote Street, Kidsgrove –  

• New “nipper” spaces, by Newcastle’s market area, for stays of up to 20 minutes.
• Renaming the High Street car park to High Street South.
• The inclusion of Lyme Brook car park, opposite the Royal Stoke University Hospital, enabling the council to enforce motorists who regularly put others in danger by parking outside of free designated bays intended for Lyme Valley Parkway visitors.
• Changes to permits including the removal of resident ones at Silverdale Road/ Windsor Street, and Hassell School parent passes at Windsor Street, due to low demand.

Cllr. Stephen Sweeney, Cabinet member for Finance, Town Centres and Growth, said:

The successful opening of the 468-space Castle car park in January as part of a wider redevelopment of Newcastle town centre, and the emerging Local Plan, has enabled the council to carry out a comprehensive, borough-wide parking review.

 

The ability to make and amend TROs efficiently is a crucial tool in ensuring that the council’s car parks continue to meet the needs of the people using them. The current one has been amended several times since it was introduced some years ago so it makes sense to consolidate those changes which remain relevant, while introducing new ones which also take into account technologies such as EV charging and mobile apps.

 

Adopting a new Order allows us to manage our car parks more effectively and fairly for the benefit of all users, ensuring that spaces are used appropriately; support local businesses by encouraging turnover and address issues such as misuse, overstaying and unauthorised use. These are proposals at this stage; we’re keen to hear the views of residents and other stakeholders during the formal consultation process before any details are finalised.”

Other plans in the new TRO include the removal of small car parks at Blackfriars and Well Street, also known as Garden Street and Bankside, in addition to part of King Street which have previously been reported as surplus to requirements in the council’s asset management strategy, and the emerging Local Plan, due to underuse. They also feature plans to reserve a section of Goose Street car park to facilitate a work compound on a short-term basis.

The TRO proposals, including the potential removal of these car parks due to their planned disposal, are subject to separate statutory consultation processes which run from Monday, 4 August to Monday, 25 August. More information will be available on the council’s website shortly.

Cllr. Andrew Fear, Cabinet member for Strategic Planning, added:

The planned disposal of the named car parks, identified for partial or full development in the emerging Local Plan, is the latest example of how the council is focusing on brownfield sites in the town centre for development purposes. This second consultation seeks comments on technical limitations of any disposal and future development.”