HEXHAM has been named as one of four market towns in Northumberland which will get a multi-storey car park.

County council leader Coun. Grant Davey went public on Monday with a bold promise to ensure the extra parking spaces in Hexham, Morpeth, Cramlington and Ashington were included in February’s council budget.

The announcement was scant on detail, with Coun. Davey making it plain that exact locations and costs of the projects were in need of further investigation.

He did, however, go as far to say that the multi-stories would be funded by the proceeds from the sale of the current County Hall site in Morpeth for development, while moving into a smaller headquarters in Ashington.

But in Hexham, where land including the former Bunker site on Alemouth Road, the old swimming pool on Gilesgate and the old grammar school on Hallgate has long been mooted as ripe for such a development, the news has been greeted with cynicism.

Mayor of Hexham, Coun. Trevor Cessford, said: “While I wholeheartedly welcome this investment in parking, I am worried that the Labour administration is playing politics and, if that is the case, then I am astounded by the unadulterated arrogance with which it is conducting its business.

“This type of work will cost millions but I do note that there has been no site picked and no costs given.

“The people of Hexham are not stupid.

“We need a firm commitment to action and we need it as soon as possible.

“I would hate to find that after the election in May this idea is abandoned because it’s going to cost too much.”

Coun. Cessford said he had worked with county councillors Cath Homer and Terry Robson over the last three years to put pressure on the county council to replace around 300 long-stay spaces which have been lost.

Coun. Homer added: “It’s almost exactly two years from a meeting we had with surveyors from Northumberland County Council where we drove around the town looking at potential sites for more parking and even reporting back to the chief executive Steve Mason.

“The lack of feedback we’ve had has been appalling, so this sudden announcement does make me suspicious.

“I welcome the initial news of a multi-storey car park but the devil is always in the detail.

“I have read with interest Coun. Davey’s recent comments on his market town strategy and what this means for Hexham, but would also point out that the Labour administration has sold a number of key properties and land in the town and it is only right that a significant proportion of the capital receipts are invested back in to Hexham’s infrastructure which is creaking in too many places.”

During a visit to Hexham on Tuesday to officially open the town’s new bus station, Coun. Davey told the Courant: “The administration’s work means more people will live, work and visit all our towns so car journeys will continue to rise.

“Parking is what this town really needs and this council is willing to invest to ensure the demand is met.

“We will deliver this to make sure the people of Hexham and the surrounding areas have the facilities they deserve.”