Hint on late parking charges

COUNCIL bosses in Newcastle say they are “not averse” to imposing new late-night parking charges in the city centre.

- DANIEL HOLLAND Local Democracy Reporter

Charges to use on-street bays and council-run multi-storey car parks in the city centre currently run until 7pm.

That rule has been in force since summer 2022, when Newcastle City Council axed the Alive After Five scheme that had provided free parking after 5pm but scaled back its original plans to introduce fees until 10pm following a backlash.

But Civic Centre chiefs have hinted that could change again in future.

Lynne Ryan, the local authority's parking services manager, told councillors on Tuesday that the council was “not averse to considering night time charges” - but that it would be dependent on there being sufficient demand and the council being able to afford to pay enough staff to enforce the fares.

She also revealed that trials of later opening hours are planned at two popular multi-storey car parks in Dean Street and Grainger Town, both of which currently shut at midnight.