BUSINESSES with more parking spaces than they need in Corbridge are being enlisted in an attempt to solve the village’s parking crisis.

After negotiations over extending the free village car park on the south side of Corbridge Bridge failed, a new plot of land in the east of the village has been identified, along with businesses who may be happy to allow visitors to use their parking facilities.

“We’ve failed to reach an agreement with the landowner over using some of their land at Bridge End,” said chairman of Corbridge Parish Council, Coun. Maurice Hodgson.

“So we’re now looking at other alternatives, and trying to be a bit more creative in coming up with a solution.”

An alternative field opposite Trinity Court on Corchester Lane, which is currently used for grazing sheep, has been identified as a potential site for a village car park.

The site is also privately owned and it’s understood staff from Northumberland County Council’s strategic estates department are investigating its suitability.

Meanwhile, the possibility of making up to 30 spaces available in the village centre at sites such as the Corstopitum Social Club and the Wheatsheaf Hotel, is being explored.

“What we were aiming for is to double the size of the Bridge End car park to make and extra 80 spaces,” said Coun. Hodgson.

“The parish council feels that would make the current situation a lot more manageable for visitors, workers, residents and businesses.”

The news that the Bridge End site will remain untouched has been welcomed by local young people who sent out a Save Our Skatepark plea to the parish council in October after learning that the home of their beloved half-pipe could have been sacrificed to make way for the extra parking spaces.

The proposal included removing the skatepark and a number of allotments and providing replacement youth facilities at another location – with green spaces at The Chains and Well Bank mooted as alternatives.

Youth development worker in Corbridge, Gillian Wood, said: “The young people are ecstatic and it’s important that they were given a voice in this process.”