Northumberland County Council revealed that they are in the process of 'creating a parking order' to tackle users of a leisure centre car park to stop them from parking in disabled bays without badges.

Northumberland County Council has announced they are in the process of 'creating a parking order'  for the car parks which will allow the council's Civil Enforcement Officers to issue Penalty Charge Notices to vehicles parking in contravention of the terms and conditions of the car park.

One of the car parks it is hoped will have a huge impact on is at the Ponteland Leisure Centre carpark.

This has come from after complaints to the County Council of 'unorderly parking', especially around 3 pm. Although it is now confirmed it is also at other times as well.

A spokesperson for Northumberland County Council said: “We are aware of the ongoing issues regarding parking on this site, in particular, users parking in accessible bays without a blue badge. Parents and gym users are regularly advised about the need to keep these bays vacant for those who specifically need them.  

"We are in process of creating a parking order for the car parks which will allow the council's Civil Enforcement Officers to issue Penalty Charge Notices to vehicles parking in contravention of the terms and conditions of the car park. ” 

"The introduction of a parking order is a legal process so does take time, but we are working as quickly as possible to bring this into effect.” 

Although the action on the issue is welcome, Ponteland Councillor, Richard Dodd hopes that there will be notices before any enforcements.

Cllr Dodd said: "I am on with this.

" We need the notices up before enforcement, I have requested that is done, I have been checking the place and it is not just the parents at School times.

"I counted 14 bays for disabled last Thursday evening all full, only 2 were badge holders! "As the centre gets to its full use we are now seeing where faults are, this was due to the Covid etc but I hope to get things sorted."