MenuAs Amble’s popularity grows and traffic increases, like other towns of its era, it will experience parking problems. For a number of years, many people have strived to ease these but unfortunately the town continues to suffer particularly at busy times.
Town organisations have been involved in the discussions as even though they have no authority over the highways, parking or enforcement of the regulations, they can put forward the community’s thoughts and concerns.
Residents have asked about Resident Parking Permits- these can be requested from Northumberland County Council but there are rules around obtaining these and how they operate, including where they are permitted and also that the majority of the street residents must agree. Even if in place, enforcement is still a problem.
Similarly yellow lines cannot be placed everywhere as these would affect residents as well as casual parkers. However the Highway Code should be observed and, if not, the Police are the only body who can enforce these- so for example, parking too close to a junction- contact the Police not Traffic Wardens.
Existing car parks sometimes have empty spaces yet some persist in parking on the street. Most are free but elsewhere the charge is less than the price of a cup of coffee.
More car parking areas- unfortunately all the vacant land in the centre of town has been thoroughly investigated and is either privately owned and very difficult to obtain for this purpose or the land itself is unsuitable for various reasons.
It has been suggested that land nearer the edge of town might be available and can be looked at along with a park and ride scheme despite these areas being less than five minutes from the centre of town.
Even if finance to develop made it possible, no company came forward to operate a park and ride scheme when this was trialled by NCC before and few used it when it was offered.
No matter what is tried, the main problem seems to be the multitude of people who want to use the least possible number of steps to get to their destination regardless of the inconvenience to others or any safety issues they create.
It’s amazing that when elsewhere on holiday, often people pay more to park or walk a distance without a second thought.
Can we not always be more considerate of others?
Is it really too much for most people to walk a few yards especially if they are not carrying a lot?
Please be considerate of others when parking in the town.