Pay-by-phone parking introduced at these Northumberland car parks

The PayByPhone system, which is widely used across the region, provides a safer, hands-free and flexible payment option with the ability to add extra time to the parking session while out and about.

It also avoids the need to go to a machine to retrieve a ticket or display a parking permit.

A large number of car parks in the county do not require payment – although many require a time disc – but charges were increased or introduced in a number of station and tourist facilities last year.

The pay-and-display car parks where mobile payments are now possible are: Alnmouth, Berwick and Morpeth railway stations; Bamburgh; Beadnell; Corbridge; Hexham (coaches only in Wentworth car park); Holy Island; Newton-by-the-Sea; Seahouses; and the country parks – Bolam Lake, Druridge Bay and Plessey Woods.

It won’t be available at Craster due to poor mobile reception, although the council is continuing to work on a solution for this car park.

Cllr Glen Sanderson, the cabinet member with responsibility for parking, said: “We’re really pleased to be bringing in this new system which brings a number of benefits.

“There’s no need to find correct change in order to park, it reduces the need to queue to pay at the ticket machine in our popular tourist destinations and in the current climate, it means there’s no need to touch surfaces if this is a concern for the user.

“It’s also convenient for visitors who already have an active PayByPhone account as many of the other North East authorities already use this parking provider.

“And we all know it’s easy to lose track of time when enjoying our beautiful county so extra time can be added remotely – cutting the risk of overstaying and receiving a parking ticket.”

The authority has offered assurances that the existing payment methods remain in place and there is no intention at this point to move to a cashless system.

PayByPhone parking can be done by downloading the Apple or Google phone app, visiting paybyphone.co.uk/northumberland or calling 01670 380000.

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