PROPOSALS to solve Hexham’s parking problems could be just weeks away from being tabled.

For the first stage of work on parking studies commissioned by Northumberland County Council for Hexham, Morpeth, Alnwick and Berwick, is complete.

Data on the levels of usage and capacity of car parks has been collected over the summer period, with work to gauge the views and opinions of the local county councillors, town councils and other key stakeholders now under way.

And a final report of findings from all four market towns is expected to be presented to the council in November.

Coun. Glen Sanderson, cabinet member for environment and local services at the county council, said: “Despite the introduction of free parking some years ago, communities are often telling us that a lack of parking capacity is having a negative effect on their local economy and the sustainability of their towns.

“Ultimately, we want all our communities to prosper and have the right balance of sustainable parking for residents, visitors and businesses.

“This is the first step towards making that happen.”