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Car parking charges and tariff review


Have your say on proposed changes to car parking charges in Durham City, Seaham and Crimdon.

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.

Opening hoursCurrent chargeProposed charge
Monday to Sunday
24 hours

Monday to Saturday
8.00am to 6.00pm

Varies between streets from 20p to 80p a half hour to 80p per half hour

Monday to Sunday
8.00am to 6.00pm

Varies between streets from 30p to 90p a half hour.

  • 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.

Name of car parkOpening hoursCurrent tariffProposed tariffLocation

The Sands

Monday to Sunday
24 hours

Monday to Sunday
8.00am to 10.00pm
up to two hours: £1.60
80p each hour after that

Monday to Sunday
8.00am to 10.00pm
up to two hours: £1.80
80p each hour after that

Riverside Place
Durham
DH1 1SL

Providence RowMonday to Sunday
24 hours

Monday to Saturday
8.00am to 6.00pm
30p each half hour

Monday to Sunday
8.00am to 6.00pm
40p each half hour

Providence Row
Durham
​DH1 1LH

03000 263 985

SidegateMonday to Sunday
24 hours

Monday to Sunday
8.00am to 10.00pm
up to two hours: £1.60
80p each hour after that

Monday to Sunday
8.00am to 10.00pm
up to two hours: £1.80
80p each hour after that

Sidegate
Durham
DH1 5SY
03000 263 985

  • 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.

Name of car parkOpening hoursCurrent chargeProposed chargeLocation
Terrace Green (North Terrace)Monday to Sunday
24 hours
No current chargeMonday to Sunday
8.00am to 6.00pm
  • £1 per hour
  • £3 all day

North Terrace
Seaham
SR7 7EU
03000 263 985

Vane TempestMonday to Sunday
24 hours
No current chargeMonday to Sunday
8.00am to 6.00pm
  • £1 per hour
  • £3 all day
Vane Tempest
Seaham
SR7 7WE
03000 263 985
Next to Seaham Hall (Tonia's Cafe)Monday to Sunday
24 hours
No current chargeMonday to Sunday
8.00am to 6.00pm
  • £1 per hour
  • £3 all day
North Road / B1287
Seaham
SR7 7AG
Dock TopMonday to Sunday
24 hours
No current chargeMonday to Sunday
8.00am to 6.00pm
  • £1 per hour
  • £3 all day
Off Seaham Harbour
Seaham
SR7 7DR
Seaham MarinaMonday to Sunday
24 hours
No current chargeMonday to Sunday
8.00am to 6.00pm
  • £1 per hour
  • £3 all day
Seaham Harbour
Seaham
SR7 7DR
03000 263 985
Noses PointMonday to Sunday
24 hours
No current chargeMonday to Sunday
8.00am to 6.00pm
  • £1 per hour
  • £3 all day
George Elmy Lifeboat Way
Seaham
SR7 7TT

    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.

    Name of parkingOpening hoursCurrent chargeProposed charge
    North RoadMonday to Sunday
    24 hours
    No current chargeMonday to Sunday
    8.00am to 6.00pm
    • £1 per hour
    • £3 all day
    • 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.

    Name of car parkOpening hoursCurrent chargeProposed chargeLocation
    Crimdon BeachMonday to Sunday
    24 hours
    No current chargeMonday to Sunday
    8.00am to 6.00pm
    • £1 per hour
    • £3 all day
    Crimdon Beach
    TS27 4BL
    03000 263 985
    • 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.

    The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on Monday 13 November 2023.

    Outcome of review

    Thank you to everyone who took part in this consultation. Proposals for Durham and Seaham were presented at our Highways Committee on Tuesday 20 February 2024. You can read the reports presented to the Highways Committee. Information regarding current car park charges can be found on the Car parks pages. Information regarding current on-street pay and display bays in Durham City and Seaham can be found on the Pay and display bays page.

    Feedback about Crimdon will be presented on Tuesday 17 September 2024. 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.

    If  you want to attend and speak about the proposals, Contact strategic traffic by 12 noon on Friday 13 September 2024.

    Given the limited space available at the venue and the anticipated high number of attendees, it would be beneficial for any community or resident groups to nominate a representative to attend. Each other group of speakers will be allowed a maximum of five minutes (except at the discretion of the Chair) to address the Committee. In the event that more than one person wishes to speak for or against the Order or Application, the time will be divided. Groups of speakers will be encouraged to appoint a spokesperson and for this to be agreed in advance of the meeting where possible.

    

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